Heart-shaped {Cu₁₀}-added polyoxometalates for visible-light driven hydrogen evolution and photothermal conversion

A heart-shaped polyoxometalate, H₁₀LiK₅[(BO(OH)₂)₂(B₂O(OH)₆)Cu₁₀(OH)₄(H₂Ge₂W₂O₁₅)(GeW₉O₃₄)₂]·46H₂O (1), was successfully synthesized. Its structure consists of a {B₄Cu₁₀} core integrated with {GeW₉} and {Ge₂W₂} fragments. Notably, the closure of the Cu-O-Cu bridge is found to be indirectly precluded by steric hindrance originating from the specific orientation of the Jahn-Teller distortion, representing an unprecedented structural observation in POM chemistry. 1 exhibits remarkable dual-functional performance, achieving a peak photocatalytic H₂ evolution rate of 8808.7 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and a photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of 16.27% under 808 nm irradiation. These findings substantiate the potential of 1 as a robust candidate for synergistic solar energy conversion and photothermal applications.