Applications of light-emitting nanoparticles
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsBrian A. Korgel, Paul Thurk, Keith P. Johnston
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Abstract
A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
Claims71
A light emitting device, comprising:
- a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanoparticles comprising a Group IV metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium and tin and a capping agent coupled to the Group IV metal which inhibits oxidation of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle diameter of between about 1 to about 100 angstroms;
- and an anode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanoparticles;
- and a cathode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanoparticles;
- wherein the anode and cathode together are configured to conduct an applied current to the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles produce light in response to the applied current.
A light emitting device, comprising:
- a plurality of nanopartieles, formed by the method comprising heating a mixture of a Group IV organometallic precursor selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, and tin precursors and a capping agent at a temperature wherein the precursor decomposes, and the nanoparticles are formed;
- an anode electrically coupled to a plurality of nanoparticles;
- and
- a cathode electrically coupled to a plurality of nanoparticles;
- wherein the anode and cathode together are configured to conduct an applied current to at least a plurality of the nanoparticles, wherein at least a plurality of the nanoparticles produce light in response to the applied current.
A light emitting device, comprising:
- a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanoparticles comprising a Group IV metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium and tin and a capping agent coupled to the Group IV metal which inhibits oxidation of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle diameter up to about 100 angstroms;
- and an anode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanoparticles;
- and a cathode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanoparticles;
- wherein the anode and cathode together are configured to conduct an applied current to the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles produce light in response to the applied current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.