Method of making passivated silicon nanoparticles

A method of passivating silicon nanoparticles, the method comprising:

• synthesizing silicon nanoparticles having a diameter that is less than 10 nanometers by VHF radio frequency plasma discharge, wherein the silicon nanoparticles comprise a free radical, in a plasma reactor;
• capturing the silicon nanoparticles in a capture fluid composition under vacuum, wherein the capture fluid composition comprises a capture fluid and a free radical-reactive compound, to form a captured silicon nanoparticle composition comprising the capture fluid, the silicon nanoparticles, and the radical reactive compound;
• and
• reacting the radical-reactive compound with the free radical of the silicon nanoparticles to produce a passivated composition comprising a passivated silicon nanoparticle and the capture fluid.