Constructing a P 2 W 18 O 62 6- -Containing Hybrid Photocatalyst via Noncovalent Interactions for Enhanced H 2 Production.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) have gained significant research attention because of their excellent properties in photocatalytic (PC) hydrogen production. Exploring POM-based compounds for heterogeneous photocatalysis is an ongoing task. Here, we obtain a water-insoluble inorganic-organic hybrid compound, (P 2 W 18 O 62 ) 3 (C 12 N 3 H 10 ) 6 (C 12 N 3 H 11 ) 6 ·9.5H 2 O (P-PW), formed by Dawson-type POM P 2 W 18 O 62 6- (P 2 W 18 ) anions and protonated 2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1 H -benzo[ d ]imidazole (PHB) cations via noncovalent interactions. In the presence of the sacrificial agent triethanolamine, P-PW exhibits a PC H 2 generation rate of 0.418 mmol/g/h, surpassing that of P 2 W 18 and PHB by 15 and 17 times, respectively. This enhancement in PC performance of P-PW can be attributed to its band structure change from the precursor compounds, leading to increased light absorption and therefore more efficient PC hydrogen production.