Patent ID: 6743406
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B82Y,C01B,C25F,G01J,H01S

Abstract:
A method for producing a family of discretely and uniformly sized elemental silicon nanoparticles, the family including a plurality of discretely and uniformly sized nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of 1, 1.67, 2.15, 2.9, and 3.7 nanometer nanoparticles, the method comprising steps of:gradually advancing a silicon anode into an HF acid H2O2 etchant solution; creating a moderate to low electrical current density to the silicon anode as it is gradually advanced and to a cathode in electrical contact with the etchant solution; separating the silicon anode from the etchant solution; and immersing the anode in dilute HF to weaken linkages of nanoparticles other than 1 nm nanoparticles formed on the anode; separating the family of discretely sized silicon nanoparticles from the silicon anode.