Electronic coupling assembly of semiconductor nanocrystals: self-narrowed band gap to promise solar energy utilization

To promote solar energy conversion into clean energy, hydrogen fuel and electrical power, photoactive nanostructures, e. g. cadmium sulfide nanotubes and nanocages, have been developed from electronic coupling assembly of nanocrystals. The inter-particle electronic coupling provides the nanostructures with self-narrowed band gap even less than that of bulk material. Consequently, the nanostructures achieve superior aptitude for solar energy utilization.