Korean researchers have developed the world's smallest semiconductor, marking a breakthrough in eco-friendly hydrogen production.
Korean researchers have successfully produced eco-friendly solar hydrogen for the first time in history using a ultrasmall quantum semiconductor nanocluster, which is considered the smallest known inorganic semiconductor material.
The researchers team from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology , Hanyang University, and Korea University, located in South Korea, achieved a world-first by utilizing this tiny quantum material, made of just 26 atoms, as a stable and effective photocatalyst in water.The nanocluster, composed of cadmium selenide ₁₃), a binary, primarily ionic compound that belongs to II-VI group semiconductors, reportedly measures less than one nanometer in size and represents a new frontier in semiconductor technology. Jiwoong Yang, PhD, a DGIST professor and lead author of the study, stated that although such materials have shown promise due to their high surface reactivity, they’ve long been sidelined because of their extreme structural instability and poor electrical properties.Semiconductor use opens new horizonsFor the study, Yang collaborated with Yoonjung Jang, PhD, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Hanyang University, and Stefan Ringe, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Korea University. In a bid to overcome the limitations of the material, the research team developed a self-assembled 3D superstructure in which the quantum nanoclusters form a stable, interconnected network. By introducing cross-links between ligands on the cluster surfaces, they preserved the unique properties of individual clusters while preventing degradation in aqueous environments. In addition, the team doped the clusters with cobalt ions , significantly enhancing their electrical conductivity and enabling efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production under solar irradiation.“This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate that a quantum semiconductor nanocluster, known as the smallest inorganic semiconductor structure in existence, can be used as a photocatalyst,” Yang emphasized in a press statement. “In the future, it is expected to expand into various possibilities in not just energy and environment but also quantum science,” he continued.Future energy solutionsAccording to the researchers, the innovation paves the way for broader applications of quantum nanomaterials, including the design of next-generation catalysts and quantum-based energy solutions.“The significance lies in the fact that this is the first time the catalytic potential of quantum semiconductor nanoclusters – previously never applied in experiments – has been demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically,” the team said.They believe that by overcoming the clusters’ structural limitations and harnessing their unique electronic properties, the innovation offers a material design strategy that balances functionality and stability, establishing a strong foundation for future research.“We aim to expand the application scope of quantum semiconductor nanocluster materials beyond the energy and environmental fields to diverse areas such as quantum science, based on strategies involving doping and structural stabilization,” the researchers concluded in a press release. To commercialize the technology, the scientists revealed they must ensure long-term stability in water, improve catalyst durability, and enhance performance to meet practical standards. The breakthrough research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. The study has been published in the journal Nano Letters.
Cadmium Innovation Physics Quantum Quantum Technology Research Science Semiconductor
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