ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the preparation, properties and applications of the major variants of Si-based core–shell nanostructures with an emphasis on understanding the interface of the core and the shell. It discusses on the aspects in light of the emission and absorption features with focus on the luminescence mechanism of Si-based core-shell nanostructures. The chapter discusses some important properties and methods of preparation of surface functionalized Si nanocrystals (NCs), because they closely resemble typical core–shell nanostructures in modulating the overall properties and in the arrest of spontaneous surface oxidation. Although most of the Si–Si oxide and Si–organic core–shell nanostructures are essentially crystalline–amorphous systems, they are seldom studied to understand the role of the crystal–amorphous interface. Core-shell nanostructures under phase contrast microscopy usually manifest as two phase material representative of core-shell structures. Besides electron microscopy and scanning probe techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD) can also be used to infer about structural features of core-shell nanostructures.
