Fast one-pot synthesis of a Se-rich MnCdSe solid solution for highly efficient cocatalyst-free photocatalytic H2 evolution

Abstract

Designing high-efficiency and stable metal selenides for visible-light-induced photocatalytic H₂ production has been challenging. Here, a novel class of Se-rich MnCdSe solid solution with a tunable band structure is fabricated through a fast one-pot strategy. In the absence of any cocatalysts, the optimal MnCdSe nanocrystals exhibit a much higher visible-light-driven H₂ evolution activity (2582 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) than the pristine CdSe (30 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), and achieve an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 7.5% at 420 nm. This work opens a new gateway to explore metal selenide-based solid solutions for photocatalytic applications.