Optical quantum confinement and photocatalytic properties in two-, one- and zero-dimensional nanostructures

Low-dimensional nanomaterials have been explored extensively in the last decades, partly fuelled by the new possibilities for tuning and controlling their electronic properties. In a broader perspective within catalysis, two-, one- and zero-dimensional (2D, 1D and 0D) inorganic nanomaterials represent a bridge between the selectivity of molecular catalysts and the high performance and stability of inorganic catalysts. As a consequence of the low dimensions, higher surface areas are obtained but also introduce new physics and increased tuneability of the electronic states in the nanostructured system. Herein, we derive the commonly used equations for optical transitions and carrier confinement in semiconductors and discuss their effect on the optical and photocatalytic properties of direct band and indirect band gap materials. In particular, the physical properties of the optical and photocatalytic properties of Fe2O3 and ZnO will be used to exemplify the effects of the low dimensionality. Carrier confinement effects with changes in the density of states, band gap/shift of band edges will be outlined together with their effects on the tuneability of the material and their wider application as photocatalytic materials.