Abstract
In this report, we demonstrate stabilization of photoluminescence (PL) properties of environmentally and biologically friendly silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) in water through atmospheric pressure radio-frequency (RF) microplasma processing at room temperature. The PL of the SiNCs is enhanced after microplasma processing, which involves three-dimensional engineering of SiNCs directly in water avoiding degradation by surface functionalization. Moreover, we compare the RF microplasma process with direct-current microplasma processing, whereby the two approaches lead to very similar SiNCs optical properties and surface characteristics. The induced unique chemistry and SiNCs stability in water have wide implications for the SiNCs processability and applications in energy devices, biology and medicine. The photoluminescence of silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) and their stability in water can be enhanced by different processes based on plasma-liquid interactions at atmospheric pressure. These processes lead to surface engineering of SiNCs directly in water avoiding degradation. We compare plasmas sustained by radio-frequency and by direct-current, whereby the two approaches lead to very similar SiNCs optical properties and surface characteristics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 158-163 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Plasma Processes and Polymers |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 9 Dec 2013 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- microplasma processing
- silicon nanocrystals
- surface chemistry