Study of the characteristics of metallic ultra-fine particles embedded in host medium (part one). Quantum dot model of ultra-fine particles

A quantum well dot model of ultra-fine particles (UFP) was presented. It is assumed that principal UFP characteristics are determined by non-localized electrons, which are restricted within a three-dimensional potential well with finite depth (quantum well dot). Electronic characteristics are contributed by both single-electron and collective behaviors. The electron energy spectrum is mainly determined by single-electron behavior. The model reflects the atomic properties, such as bulk work function atomic radius and first ionizing energy value, and ignores the finer UFP structures. The approximation was proved reasonably. A number of useful formulae and predictions were derived. When particle size increases, the sub-bands can not be discriminated and finally disappear, and the particle shows complete bulk characteristics.