Solvothermal syntheses, characterizations and photocatalytic properties of two copper-rich thiostannates.

[Display omitted] • Two copper-rich thiostannates Rb 4 Cu 8 Sn 3 S 12 (1) and (H 3 O)RbCu 6 Sn 2 S 8 (2) were synthesized solvothermally. • Compound 1 possesses a three-dimensional structure containing [Cu 8 S 12 ]16- icosahedral clusters and compound 2 displays a dual-channel structure. • Compound 2 possesses the highest Cu+/Sn4+ molar ratio (3.0) in the known three-dimensional open-framework sulfides and exhibits good photocatalytic performance. Two copper-rich thiostannates Rb 4 Cu 8 Sn 3 S 12 (1) and (H 3 O)RbCu 6 Sn 2 S 8 (2) were synthesized solvothermally. Compound 1 possesses a three-dimensional structure containing [Cu 8 S 12 ]16- icosahedral clusters. Compound 2 displays a dual-channel structure and the Cu+/Sn4+ molar ratio of this compound is the highest in the known three-dimensional open-framework sulfides. The optical properties and photocatalytic degradation performances for methylene blue of 1 and 2 were also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]