Solution synthesis of ultrastable luminescent siloxane-coated silicon nanoparticles

Silicon nanoparticles (NPs) of similar to4.5(1.10) nm from a room-temperature solution route are terminated by a silanization method for the first time. Energy-selected emission is observed, consistent with the distribution of sizes obtained by this route. The NPs are photochemically stable in nonpolar organic solvents and when exposed to air/water under ambient conditions for up to 1 year. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, EDX, SAED, FTIR, H-1/C-13 NMR, UV-vis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.