Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

Absolute Energy Level Positions in CdSe Nanostructures from Potential-Modulated Absorption Spectroscopy (EMAS)

Spittel, D.
Poppe, J.
Meerbach, C.
Ziegler, C.
Hickey, Stephen G.
Eychmüller, A.
Publication Date
2018
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
© 2018 ACS. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Nano.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Additional title
Abstract
Semiconductor nanostructures like CdSe quantum dots and colloidal nanoplatelets exhibit remarkable optical properties, making them interesting for applications in optoelectronics and photocatalysis. For both areas of application a detailed understanding of the electronic structure is essential to achieve highly efficient devices. The electronic structure can be probed using the fact that optical properties of semiconductor nanoparticles are found to be extremely sensitive to the presence of excess charges that can for instance be generated by means of an electrochemical charge transfer via an electrode. Here we present the use of potential modulated absorption spectroscopy (EMAS) as a versatile spectroelectrochemical method to obtain absolute band edge positions of CdSe nanostructures versus a well-defined reference electrode under ambient conditions. In this the spectral properties of the nanoparticles are monitored dependent on an applied electrochemical potential. We developed a bleaching model that yields the lowest electronic state in the conduction band of the nanostructures. A change in the band edge positions caused by quantum confinement is shown both for CdSe quantum dots as well as for colloidal nanoplatelets. In the case of CdSe quantum dots these findings are in good agreement with tight binding calculations. The method presented is not limited to CdSe nanostructures but can be used as a universal tool. Hence, this technique allows the determination of absolute band edge positions of a large variety of materials used in various applications.
Version
Accepted manuscript
Citation
Spittel D, Poppe J, Meerbach C et al (2018) Absolute Energy Level Positions in CdSe Nanostructures from Potential-Modulated Absorption Spectroscopy (EMAS). ACS Nano. 11(12): 12174-12184.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Type
Article
Qualification name
Notes