Silicon-containing nanoparticles: from functional materials to real-life applications

Abstract

Silicon-containing nanoparticles are considered a promising class of materials with exciting physical properties and the potential to revolutionize many emerging application areas. This Chapter introduces the fundamental aspects of silicon-containing nanoparticles and their most common production approaches. In addition, we provide a comprehensive overview of the frontiers of silicon-containing nanoparticle research for the growing fields of printable Silicon-containing electronics, theranostics, nanocellular polymer foaming, and catalysis. We include an introduction to readily applicable particle surface modification strategies as well. Finally, the limitations and challenges for the successful commercialization of silicon-containing nanoparticles in the application fields mentioned are also presented and discussed.

PNIPAM Brushes in Colloidal Photonic Crystals Enable Ex Situ Ethanol Vapor Sensing

“…Preparation of PMMA-g-SiNPs. 47 PMMA brush growth via SI-ATRP proceeded with 1000 mg of BiBB-functionalized SiNPs, 4.0 mL of MMA, 94.6 μL of PMDETA, 0.0456 g of CuBr, 0.0303 g of CuBr 2 , and 43 mL of DMF. The reaction flasks were stirred at 500 rpm and purged with nitrogen at 1 mL/min.…”