How Does Size Affect Optical Absorption in Nanomaterials?
The size of nanomaterials affects their optical absorption properties significantly. When the size of the material is reduced to the nanometer scale, the electronic energy levels become discrete, altering the way light is absorbed. This phenomenon is known as quantum confinement, which can shift the absorption spectrum of the material. For example, quantum dots exhibit size-dependent absorption and emission spectra, making them tunable for specific applications.