Direct synthesis of sulfide capped CdS and CdS/ZnS colloidal nanocrystals for efficient hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation

CdS and CdS/ZnS colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) capped with inorganic sulfide (S2−) ligands were directly synthesized with no aid of organic ligands in water. The obtained CdS/ZnS-S2− NCs show a surprising activity for hydrogen evolution with a rate of 1.61 mmol mg−1 h−1 and an internal quantum yield of 54% under 465 nm light irradiation.