Fabrication of Low-Cost Devices Based on Chemically Modified 2D Silicon Nanosheets

Overcoming the barriers of bulk silicon, which the industry is up to now widely based on, researchers are fast developing a new field of nano-based applied science. Among two-dimensional (2D) materials, graphene was the first one to be successfully characterized by Novoselov et al.¬¬ in 2004. Following this, the synthesis and possible application of 2D silicon became a more central concern than has hitherto been the case. With the synthesis of free-standing 2D silicon sheets (SiNSs) a new material with remarkable (opto)electronic properties could be introduced. Some few examples are e.g., the green photoluminescence (PL), the ability of band gap opening and its semiconducting behaviour. Covalent surface functionalization was applied to protect and stabilize the sheets against damage from UV light and oxygen exposure.[1] Consequently, this simple step increased the lifetime of the SINSs. Additionally, it facilitates its fabrication regarding different material deposition techniques. In the end, spray deposition, spin coating, or even highly precise, reproducible and ultra-low-cost inkjet printing technique can be applied. Within our group, we are aiming not only for an established way of a facile synthesis of SiNSs based hybrid materials, but also for the first steps towards (opto)electronic applications. A facile integration of the modified SiNSs into the already well-known fabrication methods could be developed. Here, we present the first prototype of a highly sensitive photonic sensor.[2] SiNS-polystere@polysterene composite has been synthesized and integrated into the device as a sensitive material for that purpose. Additionally, a capacitive humidity sensor is currently being developed which shows the first steps towards response to surrounding molecules and conditions such as water at certain temperature.     «

Overcoming the barriers of bulk silicon, which the industry is up to now widely based on, researchers are fast developing a new field of nano-based applied science. Among two-dimensional (2D) materials, graphene was the first one to be successfully characterized by Novoselov et al.¬¬ in 2004. Following this, the synthesis and possible application of 2D silicon became a more central concern than has hitherto been the case. With the synthesis of free-standing 2D silicon sheets (SiNSs) a new materi...     »