European journal of cell biology : EJCB

A detailed investigation examines how the size of allylbenzene-capped silicon nanocrystals (ncSi:AB) affects their chemical reactivity with gaseous O₂, H₂O, and O₂/H₂O as probed by in situ luminescence spectroscopy. Specifically, changes in the photoluminescence (PL) of size-separated ncSi:AB are monitored through alterations of their PL absolute quantum yield (AQY) as well as the wavelength and intensity of their PL spectra over time. These experiments, conducted under both continuous and intermittent illumination, help elucidate the roles of O₂, H₂O, and mixtures of O₂/H₂O, with respect to oxidation of ncSi:AB as a function of their size, providing vital information for any perceived application in advanced materials and biomedical devices