Solution based synthesis of simple fcc Si nano-crystals under ambient conditions

We demonstrate for the first time that simple face-centered cubic (fcc) silicon nano-crystals can be produced by a solution based bottom-up synthesis route under ambient conditions. Simple fcc Si nano-crystals (2-7 nm) were prepared at room temperature by using sodium cyclopentadienide as a reducing agent for silicon tetrachloride. Photoluminescence emission at 550 nm was observed for the fcc silicon nano-crystals upon excitation at 340 nm, indicating that fcc Si nano-crystals were exhibiting direct bandgap like semiconductor properties with very fast radiative recombination rates. The new synthesis route makes possible the production and study of simple fcc polymorphs of Si nano-crystals with an easy alteration of surface termination groups.