Formation of crystalline germanium nanoclusters in a silica xerogel matrix from an organogermanium precursor

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Chemistry of Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cm950548i· OSTI ID:391025

Carpenter, J P; Lukehart, C M ^[1]; Henderson, D O; Mu, R ^[2]

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1. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
2. Fisk Univ., Nashville, TN (United States); and others

Addition of the organogermanium compound, Me{sub 3}GeS(CH{sub 2}){sub 3}Si(OMe){sub 3}, to a modified, conventional sol-gel formulation gives a silica xerogel doped with this molecular species. Subsequent thermal treatment of this molecularly doped xerogel under oxidizing then reducing conditions affords nanoclusters of Ge highly dispersed throughout the bulk of the xerogel matrix. Under appropriate conditions, Ge nanoclusters having an average diameter of ca. 68 {Angstrom} can be formed by this procedure. Characterization of this nanocomposite material by TEM, HRTEM, EDS, XRD, micro-Raman spectroscopy, electron diffraction, and UV-visible spectroscopy indicates that the Ge nanoclusters are highly crystalline and exhibit optical properties consistent with those expected when quantum confinement effects are operative. 35 refs., 8 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 391025
• Journal Information: Chemistry of Materials, Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 8; ISSN CMATEX; ISSN 0897-4756
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ATOMIC CLUSTERS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
GERMANIUM COMPOUNDS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
SILICA
SOL-GEL PROCESS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION