Dual-nodes bridged cobalt-modified Keggin-type polyoxometalate-based chains for highly efficient CO2 photoconversion

The design of efficient catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 conversion is of great importance for the sustainable development of society. Herein, three polyoxometalate (POM)-based crystalline materials were formulated prepared by substituting transition metals and adjusting solvent acidity with 2-(2-pyridyl) benzimidazole (pyim) as the light-trapping ligand, namely {[SiW12O40][Co(pyim)(2)](2)}<middle dot>2C(2)H(5)OH (SiW12Co2), {[SiW12O40][Ni(pyim)(2)](2)}<middle dot>2C(2)H(5)OH (SiW12Ni2), and {[SiW12O40][Mn(pyim)(2)](2)}<middle dot>2C(2)H(5)OH (SiW12Mn2). X-ray crystallography diffraction analysis indicates that the three complexes exhibit isostructural properties, and form a stable one-dimensional chain structure stabilized by two [M(pyim)(2)](2)(2+) (M = Co, Ni, and Mn) fragments serving as dual-nodes to the adjacent SiW12 units. A comprehensive analysis of the structural characterization and photocatalytic CO2 reduction properties is presented. Under light irradiation, SiW12Co2 exhibited a remarkable CO generation rate of 10 733 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) with a turnover number of 328, outperforming most of the reported heterogeneous POM-based photocatalysts. Besides, cycling tests revealed that SiW12Co2 is an efficient and stable photocatalyst with great recyclability for at least four successive runs. This study proves that the successful incorporation of diverse transition metals into the POM anion could facilitate the development of highly efficient photocatalysts for the CO2RR.