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Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Silicon and Cu/Ge Nanomaterials
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- Author / Creator
- Zhai, Yi
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Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) have been suggested as promising candidates for bioimaging because of their abundance, biocompatibility, and stable photoluminescent properties. However, “naked” SiNCs are insoluble in water and very reactive. As a result, NC surface functionalization is necessary to induce stability – fortunately this also offers the opportunity to target specific cell structures for imaging. This present thesis describes the preparation of photoluminescent D-mannose and L-alanine functionalized SiNCs obtained from the chlorination of hydride-terminated Si-NCs followed by reaction with appropriate carbohydrate and amino acid modifiers. Detailed characterization of the prepared nanoparticles was performed. Water soluble mannose and alanine functionalized SiNCs can be internalized by MCF-7 human breast cancer cells as shown in the detailed cell imaging studies. Copper germanide is an appealing metallization material for Si-based devices due to the low resistivity and oxidatively stable up to 520 °C. A synthetic method of copper-germanium alloy (Cu3Ge and Cu0.85Ge0.15) nanocrystals is described within this thesis. Copper-germanium alloy nanocrystals have been prepared by synthesis of Cu/GeO2 core shell nanocrystals (Cu@GeO2) followed by reductive thermal annealing process. This method affords freestanding, diameters of 70-300 nm copper-germanium alloy nanocrystals depend on the annealing temperature.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2015
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.