CdSe/CdS nanorod photocatalysts: tuning the interfacial charge transfer process through shell length

CdSe/CdS core/shell semiconductor nanorods (NR) with rod-in-rod morphology offer new strategies for designing highly emissive nanostructures. The interplay between energetically matched semiconductors results in enhanced emission from the CdSe core. In order to further evaluate the cooperative role of these two semiconductors in a core/shell geometry, we have probed the photoinduced charge transfer between CdSe/CdS core/shell semiconductor NR and methyl viologen (MV2+). The quenching of the emission by the electron acceptor, MV2+, as well as the production of electron transfer product MV•+ depends on the aspect ratio (l/w) of the NR thus pointing out the role of CdS shell in determining the overall photocatalytic efficiency. Transient absorption measurements show that the presence of MV2+ influences only the bleaching recovery of the CdS shell and not of the CdSe core recovery. Thus, optimization of shell aspect ratio plays a crucial role in maximizing the efficiency of this photocatalytic system.