Fabricating highly luminescent solid hybrids based on silicon nanoparticles: a simple, versatile and green method

Trivalent rare-earth-codoped silicate phosphor materials (Ba1.3Ca0.7-x-ySiO4:xDy3+/yEu3+) for solid-state lighting

Trivalent dysprosium/europium-codoped silicate phosphors (Ba_1.3Ca_0.7x-ySiO₄:xDy³⁺/yEu³⁺) were prepared as a function of Eu³⁺concentration (x= 0.03 andy= 0.01-0.05). The phosphors showed the averaged crystallite size of ∼37.2 ± 1.3 nm and displayed nano-/micro-scale grains with some void defects. The energy bandgap is about 4.3 eV for co-doped samples and 3.2 eV for the silicate host. The photoluminescence spectra indicated that the presence of Eu³⁺ions enhanced the red light emission, and the emission peaks located at the versatile wavelengths of 482, 577, 592, 614, 652, and 703 nm. Then, the internal quantum efficiencies were estimated by using the Judd-Ofelt model. Resultantly, the best quantum efficiency was ∼74% when the doping concentrations were 3 mol% Dy³⁺and 4 mol% Eu³⁺ions. Finally, the CIE coordinate data exhibited that the emission color could be tuned from white to reddish-orange by changing the Eu³⁺contents, proposing the applicability of Ba_1.3Ca_0.7-x-ySiO₄:xDy³⁺/yEu³⁺phosphors to the solid-state lighting.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) Films with High Concentrations of Silicon Quantum Dots for Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) are attractive, nontoxic luminophores for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Here, we produced Si QD/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films on glass by doctor-blading polymer solutions and achieved films with low light scattering at an order of magnitude higher Si QD weight fraction than has been achieved previously in the bulk. We suggest that the fast solidification rate of films as compared to slow bulk polymerization is an enabling factor in avoiding large agglomerates within the nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that ∼100 nm or larger QD agglomerates exist in light-scattering films, and photoluminescence intensity measurements show that light scattering, if present, significantly reduces waveguiding efficiencies for LSCs. Nonscattering films fabricated in this work exhibit high ultraviolet absorption (>80%) paired with high visible transmission (>87%) and minimal visible haze (∼1%), making them well suited for semitransparent coatings for LSCs realized as solar harvesting windows.

First synthesis of silicon nanocrystals in amorphous silicon nitride from a preceramic polymer

We report the first synthesis of silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon nitride matrix through a direct pyrolysis of a preceramic polymer (perhydropolysilazane). Structural analysis carried out by XRD, XPS, Raman and TEM reveals the formation of silicon quantum dots and correlates the microstructures with the annealing temperature. The photoluminescence of the nanocomposites was investigated by both linear and nonlinear measurements. Furthermore we demonstrate an enhanced chemical resistance of the nitride matrix, compared to the typical oxide one, in both strongly acidic and basic environments. The proposed synthesis via polymer pyrolysis is a striking innovation potentially allowing a mass-scale production nitride embedded Si nanocrystals.

Nitrogen-terminated silicon nanoparticles obtained via chemical etching and passivation are specific fluorescent probes for creatinine

A method is described here to prepare water-dispersible nitrogen-functionalized silicon nanoparticles (N-SiNPs). It consists of two steps, viz. etching of the oxidized shell of SiNPs and nitrogen-passivation of the exposed silicon. The resulting N-SiNPs have an average diameter of 2.6±0.7 nm and show blue fluorescence (with excitation/emission peaks at 340/420 nm). The fluorescence quantum yield is 23% and the decay time is in the nanosecond regime. Compared to etching methods using a plasma or hydrofluoric acid, the process described here (etching and passivation) is mild, continuous, fast, and air-compatible. The N-SiNPs modified with chlorotetracycline are shown to be a viable fluorescent probe for creatinine. Fluorescence drops in the 0 to 20 μM creatinine concentration range, and the limit of detection is 0.14 μM.