Functionalized Vesicles with Co-Embedded CdSe Quantum Dots and [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Mimic for Light-Driven Hydrogen Production

A photocatalytic hybrid system for the production of hydrogen in purely aqueous solution was prepared by the co-embedding of hydrophobic oleic acid capped CdSe quantum dots (QD) for light harvesting and an amphiphilic [FeFe]-hydrogenase subunit mimic for proton reduction into phospholipid vesicle membranes. These bio-inspired functionalized vesicles concentrate the catalytic subunits in close proximity and show light-driven hydrogen generation in the presence of ascorbic acid resulting in 651 and 2.47 x 105 catalytic turnovers for the membrane-incorporated catalyst and the QDs, respectively.