Density of surface states in colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets

With the use of a novel thermoluminescence technique, a new type of surface traps is observed in colloidal CdSe nanocrystals of planar geometry (nanoplatelets). The emptying of these traps, which cannot be detected by means of the conventional thermally stimulated luminescence scheme, proceeds via a cascade process involving their own excited states. An energy-level diagram of nanoplatelets taking into account the specific characteristics of these traps is proposed and the density of surface states, featuring two peaks at energies of 100 and 280 meV, is determined.