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Is the Kubelka Munk function good enough to find the band gap of Nanoparticles?

In my work with semiconductor nanoparticles, we routinely use diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Kubelka-Munk transformation is the standard approach to convert this data for Tauc plot analysis. I'm seeking a practical, expert perspective on its fundamental limitations for nanoscale systems, where factors like strong light scattering and particle size effects come into play.

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By Judeth Answered 4 months ago

In my experience characterizing dozens of nanomaterial batches, the Kubelka-Munk function is a good starting point, but it's rarely sufficient alone for precise band gap determination. I've seen its assumptions of diffuse, isotropic scattering break down for nanoparticles with very specific morphologies or high agglomeration. I would recommend always cross-validating with a direct technique like UV-Vis absorption in suspension if possible, and paying careful attention to the linear region of your Tauc plot. For publication-quality data, complementing it with other analyses like photoelectron spectroscopy strengthens your claim significantly.

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