Abstract
Biominerals are organic–inorganic nanocomposites exhibiting remarkable properties due to their unique configuration. Using optical spectroscopy and theoretical modeling, it is shown that the optical properties of a model bioinspired system, an inorganic semiconductor host (Cu2O) grown in the presence of amino acids (AAs), are strongly influenced by the latter. The absorption and photoluminescence excitation spectra of Cu2O-AAs blue-shift with growing AA content, indicating band gap widening. This is attributed to the void-induced quantum confinement effects. Surprisingly, no such shift occurs in the emission spectra. The theoretical model, assuming an inhomogeneous AA distribution within Cu2O-AAs due to compositional disorder, explains the deviating behavior of the photoluminescence. The model predicts that the potential causing the confinement effects becomes a function of the local AA density. It results in a Gaussian band gap distribution that shapes the optical properties of Cu2O-AAs. Imitating and harnessing the process of biomineralization can pave the way toward new functional materials.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2202121 |
Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 27 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 Jul 2022 |
Keywords
- amino acid doped Cu O
- bandgap distribution
- disorder
- optical properties
- quantum confinement
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
- General Materials Science