A world workforce of researchers from Hanyang College, led by Professor Yoonjung Jang, collaborated with Professor Stefan Ringe of Korea College and Professor Jiwoong Yang of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Know-how. Collectively, they’ve produced environmentally pleasant photo voltaic hydrogen for the primary time utilizing a quantum semiconductor nanocluster—the smallest identified inorganic semiconductor materials.
In an aqueous setting, Professor Yang’s workforce efficiently synthesized a secure nanocluster of cadmium selenide ((CdSe)13), a sub-1-nm quantum semiconductor that had not beforehand been used as a photocatalyst. Utilizing this materials, they achieved photocatalytic hydrogen manufacturing and recommended its potential purposes throughout quantum science, power, and environmental applied sciences.
Quantum semiconductor nanoclusters exist on the boundary between molecules and nanocrystals and include a exact variety of atoms. Because of their excessive surface-to-volume ratio, they’re anticipated to exhibit excessive catalytic reactivity. Nevertheless, their structural instability and restricted electrical efficiency have hindered sensible use.
To handle this, the workforce engineered a superstructure during which the nanoclusters self-organize right into a three-dimensional community. By cross-linking ligands on the cluster surfaces, they achieved structural stability whereas sustaining the distinctive properties of particular person clusters.
To boost electrical efficiency and allow efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, the researchers additional doped the clusters with cobalt ions (Co2+).
This examine is the primary of its sort to reveal {that a} quantum semiconductor nanocluster, often called the smallest inorganic semiconductor construction in existence, can be utilized as a photocatalyst. Sooner or later, it’s anticipated to increase into varied prospects in not simply power and setting, but in addition quantum science.
Jiwoong Yang, Professor, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Know-how
The analysis was supported by the Nationwide Analysis Basis of Korea and the Korea Institute for Development of Know-how.
Journal Reference:
Lee, S., et al. (2025) Photocatalytic Hydrogen Manufacturing Utilizing Semiconductor (CdSe)13 Clusters. Nano Letters. doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00529.