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.