Formation of Blue-Emitting Colloidal Si Quantum Dots through Pulsed Discharge of Si Strips in Distilled Water Medium

Abstract

Si quantum dots (QDs) have received quantities of attention owing to their multiple outstanding properties, such as the size-dependent optical property, photothermal property, electronic property, and biocompatible property. Therefore, researchers have been committed to exploring preparation methods of Si QDs. In this study, we have demonstrated a novel route to prepare Si QDs through a pulsed wire discharge method using Si strips. The as-prepared samples were recovered, centrifuged, and characterized by various techniques, such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV–vis absorption, and PL spectra. Consequently, the purified samples are confirmed to be pure Si QDs in a size of 1.4–4.7 nm, with an average particle size of 2.76–2.92 nm. Furthermore, the spectral analysis reveals the blue-emitting characteristics of the obtained Si QDs owing to the small particle size. Our studies demonstrate an efficient and cost-effective approach to produce colloidal Si QDs through pulsed wire discharge, which possesses potential for large-scale production.