Surface chemistry and photoluminescence property of functionalized silicon nanoparticles

We report an efficient method of producing macroscopic quantity of functionalized silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) with bright photoluminescence (PL). Single crystalline Si NPs were synthesized in a microwave plasma reactor via pyrolysis of silane (SiH4). Organic molecules were grafted onto the Si surface by reacting freshly etched NPs with 1-hexadecene at high temperature. Both freshly prepared and coated Si NPs were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to evaluate the effectiveness of the surface modification. An increase in the PL intensity and a blue shift in the emission spectrum of functionalized Si NPs were observed compared to as-prepared NPs. The change in particle shape and morphology before and after the surface grafting was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electron diffraction patterns confirmed that Si NPs maintain their crystallinity after the functionalization process. In addition, functionalized Si NPs showed a red shift in the PL emission spectrum after air oxidation, which originated from the oxidation of remaining Si–H bonds on the surface.