Si nanocrystals embedded in SiO2 nano-networks

Abstract

SiO2 nano-network structures have been synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation process in a large scale using S and SiO2 as the source materials without the use of any metal catalysts at a relatively low temperature. The detailed structural characterization indicated that the obtained SiO2 nano-networks are composed of small nanoparticles with the size of about 10nm with a monoclinic structure and a small amount of Si nanocrystals synthesized in the fabrication process of SiO2 nano-network structures. Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and UV–Vis absorption spectrum of the grown products indicate unique optical properties. Different from the traditional normal SiO2 nanomaterials, due to the quantum confinement effects of embedded Si nanocrystals, the SiO2 nano-networks show a wider light emitting area extending above 700nm.