An exceptional artificial photocatalyst, Nih -CdSe/CdS core/shell hybrid, made in situ from CdSe quantum dots and nickel salts for efficient hydrogen evolution.

A novel hybrid Nih -CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dot is a simple and exceptional artificial photocatalyst for H2 production from 2-propanol aqueous solution. Studies on the nature of the artificial photocatalyst and mechanism for H2 production demonstrate that the synthetic strategy is general and the artificial photocatalyst holds promise for light capture, electron transfer, and catalysis at the surface of the Nih -CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots, leading to a self-healing system for H2 evolution in harmony.