Germanium nanoparticles are a promising alternative to PbSe for energy conversion because of germanium's large excitonic Bohr radius, which allows for bandgap tuning over a wide range of particle diameters. Solutions of germanium nanoparticles can be synthesized by a facile microwave-heated procedure. Recent reports have clarified the role of oleylamine in this reaction and have advanced control over particle size and surface. GeSn alloy nanoparticles were recently achieved, but solution synthesis of other complex compositions remains a challenge. Present here is our work toward the synthesis of Ge1-xSix alloy nanomaterials. Changes in band structure were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, optical spectroscopy, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. It is shown that with the inclusion of SiI4 in the nanoparticle synthesis, crystallinity improves and bandgap shifts to lower energies. Thus, an additional method of tuning Ge nanoparticle band structure is achieved.

Germanium nanoparticle synthesis involving other group IV elements

251st National Meeting (2016)

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