The primary photodynamics of 5-nm CdZnS core, CdZnS/ZnS core/shell, and CdZnS/ZnS center dot Pd nanoparticle adducts are characterized with broadband ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. Photogenerated excitons in the CdZnS and CdZnS/ZnS nanoparticles exhibit long-lived (>20 ns) lifetimes and further functionalizing of the type-I CdZnS/ZnS core/shells with Pd nanoparticles resulted in rapid exciton quenching (<250 ps) due to the transfer of electrons from the CdZnS core into the Pd nanocrystals via tunneling through the insulating ZnS shell. The shell-induced surface trap passivation and near-unity charge carrier injection efficiency into a platinum-group metal nanoparticle shows potential for enhanced colloidal photocatalytic applications, while enhancing photostability. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.