ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of various techniques for fabrication and surface modification of silicon Nano crystals (SiNCs), which are a key to their physical properties. It outlines the basic problems and results of theoretical simulations involving C—SiNCs. The chapter summarizes basic characterization methods and describes the band structure approach to SiNCs. It focuses on light emission and mentions several surface-induced effects and gives examples of laboratory-tested applications of C—SiNCs. C—SiNCs started to be studied about 25 years ago. Since then, a wide variety of preparation techniques have been developed, allowing for wide spectral tunability from UV to infrared featuring reasonable QYs and excellent photo stability. The optical properties are determined by a complex interplay of the properties of the core, the surface, and the interface, which makes it more difficult for the characterization to provide sound feedback to technology. Despite positive outcomes, toxicity studies are still underway, determining the impact of C—SiNCs in live tissue.
