Optical Characterization of Ultrasmall, Hydrogen -Terminated and Carboxyl -Functionalized Silicon Nanoparticles in Aqueous Environments

In the second part, three central elements establish that the carboxyl-functionalized Si-np have excellent potential for use as a luminescent marker in aqueous systems. First, they are shown to be ultrasmall, with a diameter of ∼1 nm, comparable to that of common organic fluorophores. Second, they are shown to have narrow PL in the near-UV with a nearly-symmetric lineshape and a FWHM as small as 30 nm. Third, it is shown that standard chemical means can be used to functionalize the Si-np with carboxyl groups, giving them stability in polar (e.g. aqueous) environments and providing a route for attachment to various biomolecules through their reaction with primary amines. The capability for direct coupling with organic species through a strong and stable Si-C linkage is a defining characteristic of Si-np and offers tremendous flexibility with possible surface passivations and functionalities for this class of luminophores.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Eckhoff, Dean Alan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gratton, Enrico

• Biophysics, General

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3242839

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80536