THE MECHANOCHEMICAL FORMATION OF FUNCTIONALIZED SEMICONDUCTOR NANOPARTICLES FOR BIOLOGICAL, ELECTRONIC AND SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SURFACE APPLICATIONS

摘要

A facile method for the fabrication of functionalized semiconductor nanoparticles is described. The mechanochemical method involves the simultaneous top-down formation of nanoparticles using high energy ball milling and reaction with a liquid medium, such as alkynes and alkenes, to functionalize the nanoparticle surfaces as they are formed. As the silicon fractures during the mechanical attrition, the formation of reactive surface species leads to surface functionalization due to addition reactions with the surrounding organic medium and the establishment of stable Si-C bonds. As the particles further fracture into the nano-regime and become sufficiently functionalized with organic molecules, they become soluble in the parent liquor. This process can be adapted to form water soluble functionalized silicon nanoparticles. Potential applications as biomarkers and solar energy collection media are discussed. Finally, the use of these materials for the production of superhydrophobic films and surfaces is described.