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3D microstructure analysis of silicon-boron phosphide mixed nanocrystals
Keita Nomoto1, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Anna V Ceguerra
1The University of Sydney, Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, and School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, 2006 Sydney, Australia. simon.ringer@sydney.edu.au.
Nanoscale
|March 21, 2020
Summary
Boron and phosphorus codoped silicon nanocrystals (BxSiyPz NCs) exhibit enhanced chemical stability and NIR luminescence. Their unique core-shell structure, with a crystalline core and amorphous shell, underpins these superior properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) offer unique optical and electronic properties.
- Boron phosphide (BP) NCs are known for their chemical stability.
- Combining these materials could lead to novel hybrid nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microstructure of mixed boron (B), phosphorus (P), and silicon (Si) nanocrystals (BxSiyPz NCs).
- To understand the structure-property relationships governing their chemical and optical characteristics.
- To explore the potential of BxSiyPz NCs as advanced functional nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Atom Probe Tomography (APT) for nanoscale compositional analysis.
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for high-resolution imaging of microstructure.
- Raman Scattering Spectroscopy for vibrational and structural characterization.
Main Results:
- BxSiyPz NCs possess a core-shell structure: a crystalline core and an amorphous shell.
- The crystalline core has a lattice constant intermediate between Si and BP.
- The amorphous shell contains non-uniformly distributed B, Si, and P, with local compositional variations.
Conclusions:
- The amorphous shell contributes to the high dispersibility in polar solvents and acid resistance of BxSiyPz NCs.
- The crystalline core is responsible for the stable near-infrared (NIR) luminescence.
- BxSiyPz NCs integrate beneficial properties from both Si NCs and BP NCs, showing promise for advanced applications.
