ABSTRACT
The plasma state is an ionized gas comprising molecules, atoms, ions, electrons, and photons. It is electrically conductive since there are free electrons and ions present, and is in local electrical neutrality, since the numbers of free electrons and ions are equal. In the case of silicon nanopowders, reconstruction of the surface during nucleation leaves dangling bonds, which aggressively react with the surrounding environment. Silicon nanoparticles exhibit novel physical and chemical properties, such as improved optical properties, dielectric constants, charge storage capacities, and catalytic activities, which reveals the potential in application areas of silicon nanoparticles in future technologies. In the field of energy storage, silicon nanopowders are widely considered for future high-energy anodes in Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Silicon nanopowders are prepared by the decomposition of monosilane gas in a radio frequency (RF) thermal plasma. In contrast to the chloride precursors, monosilane does not produce corrosive chlorine gas in the plasma.
