Probing the wave function delocalization in CdSe/CdS dot-in-rod nanocrystals by time- and temperature-resolved spectroscopy

ACS Nano. 2011 May 24;5(5):4031-6. doi: 10.1021/nn2005969. Epub 2011 Apr 19.

Abstract

Colloidal semiconductor quantum structures allow controlling the strong confinement of charge carriers through material composition and geometry. Besides being a unique platform to study fundamental effects, these materials attracted considerable interest due to their potential in opto-electronic and quantum communication applications. Heteronanostructures like CdSe/CdS offer new prospects to tailor their optical properties as they take advantage of a small conduction band offset allowing tunability of the electron delocalization from type-I toward quasi-type-II. Here, we report on a detailed study of the exciton recombination dynamics in CdSe/CdS heterorods. We observed a clear size-dependent radiative lifetime, which can be linked to the different degree of electron wave function (de)localization. Moreover, by increasing the temperature from 70 to 300 K, we observed a considerable increase of the radiative lifetime, clearly demonstrating a reduction of the conduction band offset at higher temperatures. Understanding and controlling electron delocalization in such heterostructures will be pivotal for realizing efficient and low-cost photonic devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Cadmium Compounds
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Selenium Compounds
  • Sulfides
  • cadmium sulfide
  • cadmium selenide