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Dispersions of alkyl-capped silicon nanocrystals in aqueous media: photoluminescence and ageing

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Fiona Dickinson, Thomas Alsop, Dr Christine Berger, Dr Harish Datta, Professor Lidija Siller, Dr Yimin Chao, Dr Eimer TuiteORCiD, Professor Andrew HoultonORCiD, Dr Ben Horrocks

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Abstract

Alkyl-capped silicon nanocrystals can be dispersed in aqueous media by shaking or stirring their solutions in organic solvents (DMSO, ether, THF) with excess water. THF is the most straightforward choice with which to prepare stable aqueous dispersions, because the nanocrystals are very soluble in THF and it is also miscible with water. As little as 0.01% v/v tetrahydrofuran is sufficient. DMSO and ether were the preferred choices for subsequent staining of live cells because THF shows some acute toxicity even when very dilute. The luminescence intensity of the aqueous dispersions is linear in particle concentration and independent of pH over the range 5-9. The sols retain their photoluminescence and are stable against flocculation for at least 6 months.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Dickinson FM, Alsop TA, Al-Sharif N, Berger CEM, Datta HK, Siller L, Chao Y, Tuite EM, Houlton A, Horrocks BR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Analyst

Year: 2008

Volume: 133

Issue: 11

Pages: 1573-1580

Print publication date: 01/01/2008

Date deposited: 04/08/2010

ISSN (print): 0003-2654

ISSN (electronic): 1364-5528

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b801921e

DOI: 10.1039/b801921e

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