Intrinsically stable dispersions of silicon nanoparticles

Stable suspensions of silicon nanoparticles (SiNP) were fabricated by dispersion in 1-butanol as well as ethanol without the application of an additive. In order to achieve an in-depth insight into the stabilizing mechanism, the particle-particle interactions need to be considered. In this respect the total interaction energy of the silicon nanoparticles in 1-butanol and ethanol was calculated for three model systems according to the DLVO theory: (1) two solid silicon spheres, (2) two spheres with a silicon core and an amorphous silicon dioxide shell, and (3) two spheres with a silicon core, an amorphous silicon dioxide shell and a monolayer of adsorbed solvent molecules. The results of the calculations are evaluated and discussed with regard to experimental data obtained by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and zeta potential measurements.