Infrequent Cubane-Like Chromium Sulfide Cluster with σ-Donor Ligands with Efficient Electrocatalytic Property Toward Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The exploitation of efficient and economical electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of exceeding interest in renewable clean-energy technologies. Herein, the facile solvothermal reaction of S and chromic acetate in ethylenediamine (en) achieved a novel organic hybrid chromium sulfide [Cr4(µ3-S)4(en)4(SH)4]·0.25H2O (1), which offers a new type of antiferromagnetic cubane-like chromium sulfide cluster with σ-donor en ligands. 1 was utilized in combination with Ni nanoparticles and porous Ni foam (NF) to fabricate a Ni/1/NF electrode as an efficient cathodic catalyst, indicating excellent electrocatalytic property toward HER.