Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of a FeIII–CeIII heterometallic sandwich-type tungstoantimonate with novel 2-D infinite structure [Ce(H2O)8][Ce(H2O)6][Fe4(H2O)10(B-β-SbW9O33)2]·16H2O

•Purely inorganic FeIII–CeIII heterometallic tungstoantimonate•2-D infinite sheet assembled from the Krebs-type [Fe4(H2O)10(B-β-SbW9O33)2]6 − subunits and Ce3 + linkers•Electrocatalytic activities towards the reductions of BrO3− and NO2−

By the rational self-assembly of trivacant Keggin precursor [B-α-SbW9O33]9 − with Fe3 + and Ce3 + cations in the conventional aqueous solution, a novel FeIII–CeIII heterometallic sandwich-type tungstoantimonate [Ce(H2O)8][Ce(H2O)6] [Fe4(H2O)10(B-β-SbW9O33)2]·16H2O (1) has been successfully synthesized and further structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analysis indicates that the 2-D infinite sheet of 1 consists of the Krebs' sandwich-type [Fe4(H2O)10(B-β-SbW9O33)2]6 − subunits and Ce3 + linkers. 1 represents the rare purely inorganic FeIII–CeIII heterometallic tungstoantimonate derivative with the 2-D infinite sheet. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of 1 have been systemically studied in 0.5 mol·L− 1 Na2SO4 + H2SO4 supporting electrolyte, moreover, 1 exhibits the obvious electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of BrO3− and NO2−.

Graphical abstractA FeIII–CeIII heterometallic sandwich-type tungstoantimonate with novel 2-D extended structure has been synthesized and its electrochemical properties have been investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide