Open-Framework Chalcogenide Materials - from isolated clusters to highly ordered structures - and their photocalytic applications

Photocatalytic processes are regarded as a sustainable and environmental-friendly way to attenuate mankind’s strong dependence on fossil fuels, which is the main responsable for high pollution levels in our planet. Metal microporous chalcogenides, due to band structure, bandgap value and highly reduced charge carrier’s residence time within the crystal lattice, are probably more suitable for photocatalysis than metal oxides, the most used photocatalysts. This review, besides updating the existing literature, intends to expand on the possibilities of these materials. This review is divided into two parts. The first part will focus on materials science, more specifically on presenting the main chalcogenide clusters and materials that are made up by such clusters: structures analogous to zeolites and ultimately hybrid materials. To finish the section, three alternatives of synthesis that have been investigated recently are presented. The second part will focus on photocatalysis, in particular the application of these materials for the production of solar fuels by H2O photodecomposition and CO2 photoreduction, and the degradation of organic pollutants. This review concludes by presenting the challenges of these materials and future perspectives for their synthesis and use as photocatalysts.