Electron transfer behavior of calcined material obtained from a samarium-O–phenylene-S–nickel-S–phenylene-O hybrid copolymer

Calcination of a samarium-O–phenylene-S–nickel-S–phenylene-O hybrid copolymer under an argon atmosphere gave Sm2O3–carbon cluster–Ni3S4 composite material. ESR spectral examinations of the calcined materials revealed the possibility of a two-step electron transfer in the process of Sm2O3 → carbon cluster → Ni3S4 with an oxidation site at Sm2O3 particles and a reduction site at Ni3S4 particles. The calcined material was found to reduce methylene blue under visible light irradiation.