biostudies-literatureZhang XNIBIB NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHS095601-95601https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4144428biostudies-literatureUnknown18(9)Hydrogen capped silicon nanoparticles with strong blue photoluminescence were synthesized by the metathesis reaction of sodium silicide, NaSi, with NH₄Br. The hydrogen capped Si nanoparticles were further terminated with octyl groups and then coated with a polymer to render them water soluble. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, FT-IR, UV-VIS absorption, and photoluminescence. The Si nanoparticles were shown to have an average diameter of 3.9 ±1.3 nm and exhibited room-temperature photoluminescence with a peak maximum at 438 nm with a quantum efficiency of 32% in hexane and 18% in water; the emission was stable in ambient air for up to 2 months. These nanoparticles could hold great potential as a non-heavy element containing quantum dot for applications in biology.NanotechnologyA New Solution Route to Hydrogen Terminated Silicon Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization, and Water Stability.PMC4144428R21 HL081108R21 HL081108-02R01 EB008576Louie AYKauzlarich SMNeiner DWang SZhang XfalseA New Solution Route to Hydrogen Terminated Silicon Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization, and Water Stability.Hydrogen capped silicon nanoparticles with strong blue photoluminescence were synthesized by the metathesis reaction of sodium silicide, NaSi, with NH₄Br. The hydrogen capped Si nanoparticles were further terminated with octyl groups and then coated with a polymer to render them water soluble. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, FT-IR, UV-VIS absorption, and photoluminescence. The Si nanoparticles were shown to have an average diameter of 3.9 ±1.3 nm and exhibited room-temperature photoluminescence with a peak maximum at 438 nm with a quantum efficiency of 32% in hexane and 18% in water; the emission was stable in ambient air for up to 2 months. These nanoparticles could hold great potential as a non-heavy element containing quantum dot for applications in biology.2007-01-01T00:00:00Z2007 Jan2024-11-11T23:49:15.212Z2019-03-27T01:34:43ZS-EPMC41444282517018910.1088/0957-4484/18/9/095601