Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
A procedure for generating colloidal suspensions of Si exhibiting luminescence, attributed to quantum confinement effects, is described. Samples of n- or p-type Si, that have been electrochemically etched to form porous Si, can be ultrasonically dispersed into methylene chloride, acetonitrile, methanol, toluene, or water solvents, forming a suspension of fine Si particles that luminesce. Transmission electron microscopy analyses show the Si particles to have irregular shapes, with diameters ranging from many microns to nanometers. Luminescent, composite polystyrene/Si films can be made by the addition of polystyrene to a toluene suspension of the Si nanoparticles and casting of the resulting solution.