Colloidally stable germanium nanocrystals for photonic applications.
We report the development of a straightforward synthesis for colloidally stable germanium nanocrystals for use as a solution-processable precursor for the bottom-up fabrication of functional thin films. SiO(2)-embedded germanium nanocrystals are produced by the reductive thermal processing of sol-gel glasses derived from mixtures of tetraethoxyorthogermanate (TEOG) and tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS), and free-standing germanium nanocrystals are liberated from the encapsulating silicon dioxide through sequential chemical etching. The applicability of these germanium nanocrystals as a solution-processable thin film precursor is demonstrated by the fabrication of high refractive index thin films.
Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6.
Eric J
EJ
Henderson
Makoto
M
Seino
Daniel P
DP
Puzzo
Geoffrey A
GA
Ozin