Odd-membered cyclic hetero-polyoxotitanate nanoclusters with high stability and photocatalytic H2 evolution activity

We investigated the hydrolysis of TiIV along with naturally abundant AlIII ions and reported formation a stable semiconducting nanocluster. Interestingly, this compound exhibits an unusual odd-membered ring structure also represents largest Al-containing polyoxotitanium cluster (PTC) observed thus far. The presence shell organic ligands as well incorporation hetero-AlIII endowed nanocluster high air, thermal, pH stabilities. present exhibited record photocatalytic hydrogen evolution 402.88 μmol g−1 h−1 among PTC materials. This work not only paves way towards materials but provides new insights into design novel photocatalysts.