title: The evolution of pseudo-spherical silicon nanocrystals to tetrahedra, mediated by phosphonic acid surfactants.
abstract: Silicon nanocrystals were synthesized at high temperatures and high pressures by the thermolysis of diphenylsilane using a combination of supercritical carbon dioxide and phosphonic acid surfactants. Size and shape evolution from pseudo-spherical silicon nanocrystals to well-faceted tetrahedral-shaped silicon crystals with edge lengths in the range of 30-400 nm were observed with sequentially decreasing surfactant chain lengths. The silicon nanocrystals were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Materials and Surface Science Institute and Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Calum
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hantschel
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arstila
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ryan