A new route to colloidal, UV-luminescent silicon nanoparticles [Ein Neuer Weg zu Kolloidalen, UV-lumineszenten Silicium-nanopartikeln]

摘要

For the last decade, there has been a growing interest in silicon nanoparticles smaller than 5 nm in diameter because of their luminescence properties. Here, we present a new approach for the fabrication of such particles. Starting with larger nanoparticles from industrial production, a combined treatment with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and 1-alkenes leads to alkylated Silicon nanoparticles in the size range necessary for luminescence. In nonpolar solvents, these particles are colloids, which do not precipitate for a long time. During one-pot reactions, the size decrease of the crystalline silicon core is mediated by the intermediary presence of H_2O _2. In this paper, we describe the reaction conditions of this new path to colloidal silicon nano- particles and discuss their structure as seen in TEM images, their surface chemistry and luminescence properties.