Room-temperature atmospheric oxidation of Si nanocrystals after HF etching

X. D. Pi, L. Mangolini, S. A. Campbell, and U. Kortshagen
Phys. Rev. B 75, 085423 – Published 13 February 2007

Abstract

The effect of HF etching of the silicon oxide shell covering the surface of Si nanocrystals (NCs) on the subsequent room-temperature atmospheric oxidation of Si-NCs has been investigated by means of photoluminescence measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. After the HF etching, the surface of Si-NCs is found to be H terminated. The HF etching also restructures the surface of Si-NCs. This leads to a decrease in the incorporation of O during subsequent oxidation, which finally results in silicon suboxide SiO1.9. In contrast, without the HF etching stoichiometric SiO2 is formed. A smaller ratio of O to Si in the silicon oxide results in a higher density of defects. This contributes to a more significant oxidation-induced decrease in the intensity of photoluminescence from Si-NCs after the HF etching than without the HF etching.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 31 August 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.75.085423

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

X. D. Pi and L. Mangolini

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

S. A. Campbell

  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

U. Kortshagen*

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

  • *Electronic address: uk@me.umn.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 75, Iss. 8 — 15 February 2007

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×