CdTe/CdS Core/Shell Quantum Dots Cocatalyzed by Sulfur Tolerant [Mo₃S₁₃]^2– Nanoclusters for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) have an extended absorbance region compared to that of CdSe or CdS QDs for solar utilization; however, their low activities, especially the chemical stability, limit their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. We report on enhanced visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution based on CdTe QDs via forming CdTe/CdS core/shell and using sulfur tolerant catalysts of the [Mo₃S₁₃]^2– nanocluster. The aqueous synthesized CdTe/CdS QDs exhibit much better photocorrosion resistance than regular CdTe QDs for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. The sulfur compound covered CdTe/CdS QDs are facilely decorated with the low cost sulfur tolerant [Mo₃S₁₃]^2– nanoclusters to exhibit enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H₂ generation than the CdTe QDs catalyzed with classical cocatalysts of Pt. In all, the combination of sulfur tolerant [Mo₃S₁₃]^2– nanoclusters and CdTe/CdS core/shell structure significantly enhance the activity and stability of CdTe QDs for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution