Effect of size and surface structure manipulation on the luminescent properties of silicon nanoclusters
Belomoin, Gennadiy A.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/32090
Description
Title
Effect of size and surface structure manipulation on the luminescent properties of silicon nanoclusters
Author(s)
Belomoin, Gennadiy A.
Issue Date
2006
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Nayfeh, Munir H.
Department of Study
Physics
Discipline
Physics
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
quantum confinement
surface reconstruction
silicon nanoclusters
electrochemical etching
luminescence efficiency
Language
en
Abstract
Structures measuring several nanometers in any dimension represent a transitional scale between materials with crystalline order and molecules. Quantum confinement of the carrier wavefunction within such structures may significantly alter their electronic behavior. Additionally, the effect of surface reconstruction becomes substantial at this scale.
This work investigated electronic and structural properties of silicon nanoclusters. Electrochemical etching was used to produce particles smaller than 3 nm in diameter. Electron microscopy and material analysis studies showed the particles to have a crystalline silicon core with significant structural reconstruction on the surface. Also, the clusters were found to be spherical in shape and quantized in size below 3 nm in diameter. The efficient luminescence of the material was studied and interpreted through the existing luminescence models. Surface modifications leading to functionalization were carried out. Both structural and luminescent characteristics of the modified clusters were studied, revealing a weak dependence of the luminescence efficiency on exchanging the surface hydrogen atoms for other single bonded species. The observed optical activity of silicon nanoclusters makes them an important material for a variety of scientific applications.
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