Size-dependent absorption properties of CdX (X = S, Se, Te) quantum dots

A unified nanothermodynamic model was developed to study the size effects on first absorption peak energy and molar extinction coefficient of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) based on size-dependent cohesive energy and quantum confinement effect. It is found that: (1) the first absorption peak energy increases as QD size decreases; (2) the molar extinction coefficient decreases with decreasing QD size in strong confinement regime and (3) tunable absorption properties of semiconductor QDs are caused by size-induced cohesive energy variation owing to severe bond dangling. The accuracy of the developed model was verified with experimental data of CdS, CdSe and CdTe QDs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.