An infinite chain, {[Ni(tn)2]3[Fe(CN)4(μ-CN)2]2}n, a new catalyst for electrochemical-driven water splitting and photochemical-driven hydrogen evolution from water under blue light

A new catalyst for both water reduction and oxidation, based on an infinite chain, {[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n, is formed by the reaction of NiCl2, 1,3-propanediamine (tn) and K3 [Fe(CN)6]. {[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n can electro-catalyze hydrogen evolution from a neutral aqueous buffer (pH 7.0) with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1561 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (H2/mol catalyst/h) at an overpotential (OP) of 837 mV {[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n also can electro-catalyze O2 production from water with a TOF of ∼45 mol O2 (mol cat)−1s−1 at an OP of 591 mV. Under blue light (λ = 469 nm), together with CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) as a photosensitizer, and ascorbic acid (H2A) as a sacrificial electron donor, {[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n can photo-catalyze hydrogen generation from an aqueous buffer (pH 4.0) with a turnover number (TON) of 11,450 mol H2 per mole of catalyst (mol of H2 (mol of cat)−1) during 10 h irradiation. The average of apparent quantum yield (AQY) is as high as 40.96% during 10 h irradiation. Studies indicate that {[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n exists in two forms: a cyano-bridged chain ({[Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)4 (μ-CN)2]2}n) in solid, and a salt ([Ni(tn)2]3 [Fe(CN)6]2) in aqueous media; Catalytic reaction occurs on the nickel center of [Ni(tn)2]2+, and the introduction of [Fe(CN)6]3- can improve the catalytic efficiency of [Ni(tn)2]2+ for H2 or O2 generation. We hope these findings can afford a new method for the design of catalysts for both water reduction and oxidation.