One-Dimensional Selenidostannates Based on an Infrequent Tetrameric Cluster [Sn 4 Se 12 ] Exhibiting Electro-Catalytic Properties.

The discovery of low-cost and efficient electro-catalytic materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is very desirable in hydrogen energy technology. Here, a new type of one-dimensional (1-D) organic hybrid selenidostannate [Ni(en) 3 ] n [Sn 2 Se 5 ] n ( SnSe-1 , en = ethylenediamine) with an in situ [Ni(en) 3 ] 2+ complex was achieved by the solvothermal reaction of Sn, Se, and NiCl 2 ·6H 2 O in a mixed solvent of en and triethanolamine at 160 °C for 10 days. The crystal structure of SnSe-1 contains a unique 1-D [Sn 2 Se 5 2- ] n chain built up from the sharing-edge connection of a hitherto-unknown tetrameric [Sn 4 Se 12 ] cluster, which is separated by discrete [Ni(en) 3 ] 2+ complexes. SnSe-1 is first combined with Ni nanoparticles supported on conductive porous Ni foam (NF) to constitute a Ni/ SnSe-1/ NF electrode as the HER electro-catalyst, displaying superior electro-catalytic activity in near-neutral conditions.