Photoelectrochemical Determination of the Absolute Band Edge Positions as a Function of Particle Size for ZnO Quantum Dots

The absolute position of the conduction and the valence band edges of ZnO quantum dots (Qdots) has been determined as a function of particle size with potential dependent absorption spectroscopy. The absolute position of the band edges are vital for which catalytic reactions that can occur at the surface. They are also crucial parameters for charge injection and extraction in nanoparticular solar cells and other optoelectronic devices based on nanoparticles. The position of the conduction band edge was determined by potentiostatic population of the conduction band states and monitoring the resulting increase in the optical band gap. This was performed for ZnO particles in the quantum confined region with diameters ranging between 4 and 9 nm. The particles were deposited into thin films giving an ensemble of particles for which the analysis could be performed. The relevant equations were derived and their validity in terms of applied potential and kinetic considerations was quantified. We find that essentially all of the quantum size effect of increased band gap is occurring by a shift of the conduction band edge. The extent of the validity of the parabolic approximation, which is one of the assumptions in the analysis, is investigated, both experimentally and with density functional theory calculations of bulk ZnO Here, we find that the parabolic approximation only is valid in an energy range of slightly less than 0.1 eV from the conduction band edge but in that regime constitutes an excellent approximation. We also demonstrate that the validity of the parabolic approximation follows a rising Fermi level into the conduction band energy levels.