Size-dependent oxidation of monodisperse silicon nanocrystals with allylphenylsulfide surfaces

The synthesis and characterization of size-separated silicon nanocrystals functionalized with a heteroatom-substituted organic capping group, allylphenylsulfide, via photochemical hydrosilylation are described for the first time. These silicon nanocrystals form colloidally stable and highly photoluminescent dispersions in non-polar organic solvents with an absolute quantum yield as high as 52% which is 20% above that of the allylbenzene analogue. Solutions of the size-separated fractions are characterized over time to monitor the effect of aging in air by following the change of their photoluminescence and absolute quantum yields, supplemented by transmission electron microscopy.