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Correlating Carrier Density and Emergent Plasmonic Features in Cu2-xSe Nanoparticles
Lauren E Marbella1, Xing Yee Gan1, Derrick C Kaseman1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh , 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States.
Nano Letters
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy offers a new way to measure charge carrier density in copper selenide nanoparticles. This method reveals carrier populations even in materials lacking plasmonic features, aiding the study of new plasmonic materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Plasmonic properties of nanoparticles are tunable via size, shape, and charge carrier density.
- Current methods for determining charge carrier density, like extinction spectroscopy, can be complicated by factors like ligands and aggregation.
- Accurate quantification of charge carrier density is crucial for understanding and developing new plasmonic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate 77Se solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a quantitative method for determining charge carrier density in copper selenide (Cu2-xSe) nanoparticles.
- To correlate charge carrier density with nanoparticle crystallinity and optical extinction features.
- To investigate the presence of charge carriers in Cu2-xSe nanoparticles that do not exhibit discernible plasmonic properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 77Se solid-state NMR spectroscopy to quantitatively measure charge carrier density in Cu2-xSe nanoparticles.
- Analyzed nanoparticle extinction spectra to correlate with NMR-derived carrier densities.
- Examined crystallographic features of the nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Successfully employed 77Se NMR to quantify charge carrier density in Cu2-xSe nanoparticles.
- Demonstrated a correlation between charge carrier density, crystallinity, and extinction spectra.
- Observed significant charge carrier populations in nanoparticles lacking visible plasmonic features and with crystal structures similar to undoped Cu2Se.
Conclusions:
- 77Se NMR spectroscopy provides a reliable alternative for quantifying charge carrier density in plasmonic nanoparticles.
- This method is particularly valuable for studying plasmon emergence at low dopant concentrations.
- The findings facilitate a deeper understanding of the relationship between synthesis, structure, and optoelectronic properties in emerging plasmonic nanomaterials.
