Revisiting the electronic nature of nanodiamonds

Abstract

Nanodiamonds, commonly described as fragments of diamond, have been theoretically found to have lower HOMO-LUMO energy splitting compared to the bandgap of bulk diamond. This apparent lack of correlation between theory and experiment is caused by the position of the LUMO, which is placed in the surface of the ND. An eventual enlargement of the ND towards a macroscopic size will turn the LUMO into the unoccupied surface states, which are not accounted if the bandgap of a bulk material is measured. Here, the electron structure of the nanodiamonds is evaluated, demonstrating that due their nature they should be described as discrete systems instead of bulk materials. Hence, the word bandgap should be avoided in the case of the nanodiamonds, using HOMO-LUMO gap instead. Additionally, our obtained ionization potentials show a satisfactory degree of correlation with the experiment, while the electron affinities are found to be positive. Although this feature fits the estimation performed from experimental data, it opposes the generally accepted idea of a negative electron affinity for hydrogenated nanodiamonds. The present article clarifies common misunderstandings regarding the electronic nature of the NDs, and provides some guidelines for the correct computation of this systems. Finally, as a helpful tool, an estimation of the content of carbon atoms and its surface to volume ratio is provided starting from the diamond unit cell.