ABSTRACT

Macroporous silicon formed by photoanodic etching with high aspect ratio and large effective surface is one of the promising materials for the development of 2D photonic structures. We fabricated nanocoatings of CdTe, ZnO, CdS surface nanocrystals and SiO₂ layers on macroporous silicon surface. The near-IR optical absorption was investigated and well-separated oscillations with giant amplitude were observed in the spectral ranges of surface level absorption. This process is because of resonance electron scattering on the surface impurity states with the difference between two resonance energies equal to the Wannier-Stark ladder. Macroporous silicon structures with SiO₂ nanolayers and CdS nanocrystals are proposed to enhance the photoluminescence of CdS nanoparticles with quantum yield 28%. Addition functionalization of 2D macroporous silicon is a result of the high-pressure oxidation. The structural SiO₂ reorganization to orthorhombic phase increases the concentration of paramagnetic P_b centers, EPR signal amplitude and GHz radiation absorption.

Keywords:

Macroporous Silicon, Surface Nanocrystals, SiO₂ Layers, Photoluminescence, High-Pressure Oxidation

1. Introduction

One of the promising materials for the development of 2D photonic structures is macroporous silicon formed by photoanodic etching with high aspect ratio and large effective surface [1] [2]. This determines optical and photo-physical characteristics of macroporous silicon structures [3] [4] [5] [6]. The existence of an intrinsic electric field F_S = (5 ¸ 9)×10⁵ V/cm is confirmed by electroreflectance study of macroporous silicon surfaces [7]. The near-IR optical absorption in 2D photonic macroporous silicon structures was investigated with allowance made for the linear electro-optical effect [8]. In this paper, the near-IR light absorption oscillations of 2D macroporous silicon structures with microporous silicon layers, CdTe surface nanocrystals and SiO₂ nanocoatings are investigated taking into account the electro-optical effect within the strong electric field approximation. An analysis of the experimental absorption spectra is carried out within the model of the resonant electron scattering on impurity states in strong electric field, with difference between two resonant energies equal to the Wannier-Stark ladder.

2. Materials and Method

2.1. ZnO Nanoparticles

Methods of synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in i-propanol and from solution of zinc compounds of Zn(CH₃COO)₂ in ethanol have been developed. The average sizes of nanoparticles ZnO (3.7 - 4.4 nm) were determined based on absorption spectra and atomic force microscopy [9]. ZnO nanoparticles deposited on a silicon substrate using ethanol introduce additional bands into the absorption spectrum O-H bonds and ethanol-related organic compounds. The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanoparticles contain a narrow and low-intensity band of exciton photoluminescence and a much more intense band of “defective” photoluminescence with a maximum at 510 - 520 nm due to the recombination of an electron trapped by a deep trap. The increase in the size of the nanoparticles ZnO increases the intensity of the exciton photoluminescence by increasing the orderliness of the crystalline lattice of nanoparticles.

2.2. CdS Nanoparticles

The method of synthesis in aqueous and alcoholic solutions of polyethyleneimine of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles with an optimal concentration corresponding to the full saturation of the coordination sphere of Cd cations with amino groups was formed [10]. The average sizes of CdS (1.8 - 2 nm) were determined based on atomic force microscopy. X-ray diffraction spectra of CdS nanoparticles in polyethylenimine confirmed the crystalline structure of nanoparticles. For the CdS nanoparticles, a wide band of photoluminescence with a maximum of 2.45 - 2.65 eV is measured, which at low temperatures increases and reaches the maximum possible efficiency of the radiative recombination―100%. It is established that high efficiency of fluorescence of nanoparticles of CdS is associated with low probability of non-radiation recombination and low passivation of nanoparticle surface. Solid CdS films in polyethylenimine exhibited high photochemical stability under a strong and long-lasting irradiation with light at λ = 310 - 390 nm in the presence of air oxygen. The high quantum yield of photoluminescence of CdS solid films in polyethylenimine in combination with high stability of films opens the prospects for their application in the production of light-emitting elements.

2.3. Macroporous Silicon Structures

The macroporous silicon samples to be studied were made of n-silicon wafers of [100] orientation (the electron concentration n₀ = 10¹⁵ cm⁻³) using the photoelectrochemical etching [1]. Macroporous silicon structures (Figure 1) with macropore depth h_p = 70 ¸ 80 μm, diameter D_p=2 ¸ 4 μm and concentration N_p = (1.2 ¸ 1.9) ´ 10⁶ cm⁻² were etched. Colloidal solutions of ZnO or CdS nanocrystals were deposited onto the surface of macropores, and the sample was kept until complete evaporation of the solvent. The sample obtained was washed with distilled water to remove external salts. CdTe nanocrystals 20 nm in size were grown on the modified installation of metal dispersion using “a hot wall” [11] molecular epitaxy on macroporous silicon substrates. The undoped CdTe sputtered at a substrate temperature of 475 K and a source temperature of 650 K served as element of evaporation. The thickness of the deposited films (200 nm) was set by time of structure stay above the source of evaporation [12].

2.4. Macroporous Silicon Oxidation

SiO₂ coatings on macroporous silicon structures were formed in diffusion stove in the nitrogen atmosphere [6]. The 5 - 200 nm thick oxide layers were formed on macroporous silicon samples in dry oxygen during 15 - 50 min at a temperature of 1050˚C - 1200˚C.

The 800 - 1200 nm oxide thick was formed at a temperature of 1100˚C in wet oxygen using a steam generator with deionized water. The thickness of obtained SiO₂ layers was determined from the time of structure staying above the source of evaporation. The oxide thickness was measured with accuracy of 0.2 nm using ellipsometry. SiO₂ coatings on macroporous silicon structures were formed in diffusion stove in the nitrogen atmosphere [6]. The 5 - 200 nm thick oxide layers were formed on macroporous silicon samples in dry oxygen during 15 - 50 min at a temperature of 1050˚C - 1200˚C. The 800 - 1200 nm oxide was formed at a

temperature of 1100˚C in wet oxygen using a steam generator with deionized water. The thickness of obtained SiO₂ layers was determined from the time of structure staying above the source of evaporation. The oxide thickness was measured with accuracy of 0.2 nm using ellipsometry.

The chemical states on the surface of macroporous silicon structures with coatings and the electric field at the “Si-SiO₂” boundary were identified by IR absorption using a PerkinElmer Spectrum BXII IR Fourier spectrometer. The optical absorption spectra are recorded at normal incidence of IR radiation on the sample (along the main axis of cylindrical macropores―see Figure 1, Insertion). The experiments are carried out at room temperature in the air. The error of spectral measurements is about 2 cm⁻¹. The sensitivity of light intensity is 0.5%. High-resolution X-ray diffractometry was used to measure residual deformations in the oxidized macroporous silicon matrix and the phase composition of SiO₂ in the samples. The measurements were carried out using a high-resolution diffractometer “PANalytical X’Pert PRO MRD” in the Cu_Kα characteristic illumination [13]. The symmetric curves of (0004) reflection in X-ray refraction were measured. This made it possible to determine the silicon lattice parameter a along the normal to the structure surface and the value of residual strain Δa in this direction. The voltage on the X-ray tube was 45 kV and current was 40 mA. The phase analysis was based on ICDD data. The values of residual deformations were obtained relative to the lattice parameter of the original silicon plate.

3. Experimental Results

3.1. IR Light Absorption

We investigated the near-IR light absorption oscillations in 2D macroporous silicon structures with CdTe (Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b)), ZnO surface nanocrystals. Well-separated oscillations were observed in the spectral ranges of the surface bonds of macroporous silicon structures with surface nanocrystals (Figure 2(a)). The electro-optical effect was taken into account within the strong

electric field approximation. The model of the resonant electron scattering on impurity states in electric field of heterojunction “silicon-nanocoating” on macropore surface as well as realization of Wannier-Stark effect on the randomly distributed surface bonds were considered. The Wannier-Stark ladders are not broken by impurities because of the longer scattering lifetime as compared with the period of electron oscillations in an external electric field, in all spectral regions considered for macroporous silicon structures with CdTe and ZnO surface nanocrystals.

3.2. Enhancement of Photoluminescence

Macroporous silicon structures with SiO₂ nanolayers and CdS nanocrystals are proposed to enhance the photoluminescence of CdS nanoparticles due to reducing the electron recombination outside the nanoparticle layer. The deposition of a nanolayer of CdS on oxidized macroporous silicon structures (1) increases IR absorption in comparison with structures without a layer of CdS nanoparticles and (2) saves the mechanism of the electron scattering on ionized surface states. That increases the flow of electrons from the silicon matrix towards the CdS nanocrystal layer. The photoluminescence intensity depends on thickness of macroporous silicon layer (Figure 3(a)); the photoluminescence quantum yield depends electric field strength on boundary “SiO₂-macropore surface” (Figure 3(b)).

The photoluminescence quantum yield of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of oxidized macroporous silicon with optimal thickness of SiO₂ layer increases of 1.5 ¸ 2.3 times during the first 2 weeks due to evaporation of water molecules from the nanoparticles in the polymer layer and reaches 28%. With further storage of samples range and photoluminescence quantum yield almost no change [14].

3.3. Oxidized Macroporous Silicon

Functionalization of 2D macroporous silicon is confirmed for structures with

thick SiO₂ layers [15]. High-resolution X-ray diffractometry shows residual deformations in the oxidized macroporous silicon matrix and the phase composition of SiO₂ in the samples.

Tetragonal SiO₂ phase (cristobalite low) is formed in the oxidized single-crystal silicon (Figure 4). Data on oxidized macroporous silicon with thick SiO₂ (800 - 1200 nm) indicate the formation of β-tridymite SiO₂ phase at distance between macropores 2 - 3 microns. Orthorhombic SiO₂ phase (β-cristobalite) was detected at distance between macropores 0.7 microns due to higher pressure in the silicon matrix with cylindrical symmetry of macropores and high thermal expansion coefficient of SiO₂.

A polymorphic transformation of β-tridymite to β-cristobalite (orthorhombic SiO₂ phase) occurs at the temperature 1470˚C. Silicon atoms form a lattice of diamond type in this highly symmetric modification to orthorhombic SiO₂ at the lower temperature. Thus, the high-pressure regime is realized under condition of various thermal expansion coefficients of silicon (2.6 ´ 10⁻⁶ ˚C⁻¹) and silicon dioxide (5.6 ´ 10⁻⁷ ˚C⁻¹).

The structural SiO₂ reorganization to orthorhombic phase in 2D macroporous silicon increases the concentration of paramagnetic P_b centers (Figure 5(a)), EPR signal amplitude and GHz radiation absorption (Figure 5(b)). Addition functionalization of 2D macroporous silicon is direct result of the high-pressure oxidation. Thus, variation of the SiO₂ layers thickness in oxidized macroporous silicon permits to change high-frequency signals. This is promising for development of filters and electronically controlled antennas.

4. Conclusions

Macroporous silicon formed by photoanodic etching with high aspect ratio and large effective surface is one of the promising materials for the development of 2D photonic structures. We fabricated nanocoatings of CdTe, ZnO, CdS surface nanocrystals and SiO₂ layers on macroporous silicon surface.

We evaluated the near-IR light absorption oscillations in macroporous silicon structures with CdTe, ZnO surface nanocrystals. Well-separated oscillations were measured in the spectral ranges of the surface bonds of macroporous silicon structures with nanocoatings. The electro-optical effect was taken into account within the strong electric field approximation.

Macroporous silicon structures with SiO₂ nanolayers and CdS nanocrystals are proposed to enhance the photoluminescence of CdS nanoparticles due to reducing the electron recombination outside the nanoparticle layer. The deposition of a nanolayer of CdS on oxidized macroporous silicon structures increased the flow of electrons from the silicon matrix towards the CdS nanocrystal layer. The photoluminescence quantum yield reaches 28%.

Addition functionalization of oxidized macroporous silicon is a result of high-pressure conditions. The structural SiO₂ reorganization to orthorhombic phase increases the concentration of paramagnetic P_b centers, EPR signal amplitude and GHz radiation absorption. Thus, variation of the SiO₂ layers thickness in oxidized macroporous silicon permits to change high-frequency signals. This is promising for development of filters and electronically controlled antennas.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Project of the Swedish Research Council (VR) under contract #348-2014-4250 and by the Project of Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ningbo University of Technology (China).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Karachevtseva, L., Kartel, M., Wang, B., Lytvynenko, O. and Sementsov, Y. (2019) Nanocoatings on 2D Macroporous Silicon Structures. Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, 7, 12-20. https://doi.org/10.4236/msce.2019.77002

References