Photoluminescent silicon clusters in oriented hexagonal mesoporous silica film

A series of approximately 1 nm diameter photoluminescent (PL) Si nanoclusters in free-standing oriented hexagonal mesoporous silica film were synthesized using a new and exceptionally mild disilane chemical vapor deposition procedure. The PL Si clusters were of low nuclearity and were largely confined within the channels. The clusters were randomly organized, passivated with oxygen and hydrogen, had electronic structures distinct from nc-Si and porous Si, and were responsible for the observed nanosecond lifetimes of the yellow-orange PL.