Exploration of discrete and nano-crystalline aggregates of elemental silicon using solid state Zintl precursors

INOR 296

Andrea M. Goforth, amgoforth@ucdavis.edu1, Alexandra Courtis, alexandra_courtis@yahoo.com1, Xiaoming Zhang, xmzhang@ucdavis.edu2, Doinita Neiner, dneiner@ucdavis.edu1, and Susan M. Kauzlarich1. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of California at Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, (2) Department of Chemistry and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California at Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
The past decade has witnessed an intense research effort targeting the synthesis and characterization of nano-sized or discrete aggregates of the element silicon, owing to its widespread technological importance in optoelectronic applications. The study of small silicon aggregates is of interest because their properties (e.g., fluorescence, band-gap) differ from those of the bulk, suggesting that silicon may be tailored to produce desired optoelectronic phenomena. Our group has been successful in the solution synthesis of surface-capped, nano-crystalline silicon from SiCl4 and/or the Zintl salt, NaSi, via several routes. Additionally, we have targeted the synthesis of discrete silicon clusters from NaSi, and from other solid-state Zintl precursors, using solvothermal, ambient temperature, and cold synthesis methods in various solvents. We will present our recent progress in surface-modified, nano-crystalline silicon and will summarize the results of solubility studies of Si-containing Zintl precursors, aimed at crystal growth of discrete silicon clusters.
 

Main Group
7:00 PM-10:00 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster

Division of Inorganic Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006