Aerobic Conditions Enhance the Photocatalytic Stability of CdS/CdOx Quantum Dots
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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
David W Wakerley1, Khoa H Ly1, Nikolay Kornienko1
1Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
Abstract:
Photocatalytic H2 production through water splitting represents an attractive route to generate a renewable fuel. These systems are typically limited to anaerobic conditions due to the inhibiting effects of O2 . Here, we report that sacrificial H2 evolution with CdS quantum dots does not necessarily suffer from O2 inhibition and can even be stabilised under aerobic conditions. The introduction of O2 prevents a key inactivation pathway of CdS (over-accumulation of metallic Cd and particle agglomeration) and thereby affords particles with higher stability. These findings represent a possibility to exploit the O2 reduction reaction to inhibit deactivation, rather than catalysis, offering a strategy to stabilise photocatalysts that suffer from similar degradation reactions.
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