Observation of assembly of fluorescent Si nanoparticles under the influence of electric current.
A silicon substrate patterned by an oxide is immersed in an alcohol solution of low-doped 1-nm Si nanoparticles. Reverse biasing draws particles to the substrate, mostly along the conducting current paths. Scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy show a tree-like network on the substrate. Avoidance of closed loops and preference for an angle of branching of 90 degrees-120 degrees are observed. The building block of the tree network is not individual particles but spherical particle aggregates approximately 150 nm in diameter.
Smith
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A
Department of Physics, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
Chaieb
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S
al Aql
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Alsalhi
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M
Nayfeh
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MH
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D003461:Crystallography / Q000379:methods; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005453:Fluorescence; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties
D003102:Colloids; D012825:Silicon