One-Dimensional Selenidostannates Based on an Infrequent Tetrameric Cluster [Sn₄Se₁₂] Exhibiting Electro-Catalytic Properties

Thediscovery of low-cost and efficient electro-catalytic materialsfor hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is very desirable in hydrogenenergy technology. Here, a new type of one-dimensional (1-D) organichybrid selenidostannate [Ni(en)(3)](n)[Sn2Se5](n) (SnSe-1, en = ethylenediamine)with an in situ [Ni(en)(3)](2+) complex was achieved by the solvothermal reaction of Sn, Se, andNiCl(2)& BULL;6H(2)O in a mixed solvent of en andtriethanolamine at 160 & DEG;C for 10 days. The crystal structureof SnSe-1 contains a unique 1-D [Sn2Se5 (2-)]( n ) chain builtup from the sharing-edge connection of a hitherto-unknown tetrameric[Sn4Se12] cluster, which is separated by discrete[Ni(en)(3)](2+) complexes. SnSe-1 isfirst combined with Ni nanoparticles supported on conductive porousNi foam (NF) to constitute a Ni/SnSe-1/NF electrode asthe HER electro-catalyst, displaying superior electro-catalytic activityin near-neutral conditions. Theinterconnection of hitherto-unknown tetrameric [Sn4Se12] clusters via a sharing-edgeleads to a new type of one-dimensional selenidostannate polymer withHER electro-catalytic properties.