A tellurium-substituted Lindqvist-type polyoxoniobate showing high H2 evolution catalyzed by tellurium nanowires via photodecomposition.

A new tellurium-substituted Lindqvist-type polyoxoniobate [H2TeNb5O19]5- was synthesized as a tetramethylammonium salt. When irradiated with a Xe lamp, a water-methanol solution of this cluster showed exceptionally high H2-evolution activity suggesting cocatalysis by the hexaniobate cluster and metallic tellurium, both of which are formed as photodecomposition products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]