Size-Dependent Reactivity in Hydrosilylation of Silicon Nanocrystals

We present an investigation into the influence of nanocrystal size on the reactivity of silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) in near-UV photochemical hydrosilylation. The size-dependent reactivity of Si-NCs with photoluminescence (PL) in the visible and near-infrared regions was evaluated using PL and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Under near-UV excitation, Si-NCs with PL in the visible spectral region react faster than Si-NCs with near-IR PL, allowing partial separation of a mixture of Si-NC sizes through hydrosilylation. This is attributed to quantum size effects in the exciton-mediated mechanisms proposed for this reaction.