Integrating Polyoxometalates and Silver Clusters into Atomically Precise Molecular Heterojunction

Abstract The Ag cluster–POM assemblies have been shown to possess interesting and potentially useful properties. However, there is no precedent example of atomically precise Ag cluster–POM assemblies showing heterojunction effects in photocatalysis. Herein, the synthesis and total structure determination of the periodically distributed molecular heterojunction [Ag ₁₂ (SCy) ₆ (CH ₃ CN) ₁₂ (PW ₁₂ O ₄₀ )] _n ( Ag ₁₂ ‐ PW ₁₂ ) are reported. The assembly of Ag/W clusters into 3D network can endow the resulting binary structure with an aesthetic topology and unique physicochemical properties. More remarkably, the incorporation of Ag ₁₂ cluster with PW ₁₂ can efficiently facilitate the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus significantly promoting the catalytic efficiency in selective oxidation of sulfides. The Ag ₁₂ ‐ PW ₁₂ heterojunction can be recovered and reused five times with no drastic change in the catalytic performance. This research is expected to assist in the rational design of cluster‐based heterojunction catalysts. The increase of catalytic activity of the A g ₁₂ ‐ PW ₁₂ assembly in comparison with the unassembled Ag ₁₂ and PW ₁₂ clusters is attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag ₁₂ and PW ₁₂ clusters, offering the splendid opportunity for deciphering structure–reactivity relationship of heterostructure‐coupled photosystem.