The creation of efficient artificial systems that mimic natural photosynthesis represents a key current challenge. Here, we describe a high-performance recyclable photocatalytic core–shell nanofibre system that integrates a cobalt catalyst and a photosensitizer in close proximity for hydrogen production from water using visible light. The composition, microstructure and dimensions—and thereby the catalytic activity—of the nanofibres were controlled through living crystallization-driven self-assembly. In this seeded growth strategy, block copolymers with crystallizable core-forming blocks and functional coronal segments were coassembled into low-dispersity, one-dimensional architectures. Under optimized conditions, the nanofibres promote the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water with an overall quantum yield for solar energy conversion to hydrogen gas of ~4.0% (with a turnover number of >7,000 over 5 h, a frequency of >1,400 h⁻¹ and a H₂ production rate of >0.327 μmol h⁻¹ with 1.34 μg of catalytic polymer (that is, >244,300 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ of catalytic polymer)).

创建模仿自然光合作用的高效人工系统代表了当前的一个关键挑战。在这里，我们描述了一种高性能可回收光催化核壳纳米纤维系统，该系统将钴催化剂和光敏剂紧密结合在一起，利用可见光从水中制氢。纳米纤维的组成、微观结构和尺寸——以及由此产生的催化活性——是通过活结晶驱动的自组装来控制的。在这种种子生长策略中，具有可结晶成核嵌段和功能性冠状链段的嵌段共聚物被共同组装成低分散性的一维结构。在优化条件下，^-1和>0.327 μmol h ^-1的H ₂生产率，具有1.34 μg 催化聚合物（即>244,300 μmol h ^-1  g ^-1催化聚合物））。