Work

Hybrid Silicon Nanostructures with Conductive Ligands and Their Microscopic Conductivity

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) functionalized with conjugated molecules are a promising potential pathway for generating an alternative category of thermoelectric materials. While the thermoelectric performance of materials based on phenylacetylene-capped SiNPs has been proven, their low conductivity is still a problem for their general application. A muon study of phenylacetylene-capped SiNPs was recently carried out using the HIFI spectrometer at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, measuring the avoided level-crossing spectra as a function of temperature. The results show a reduction in the measured line width of the resonance above room temperature, suggesting an activated behaviour for this system. This study shows that the muon study could be a powerful method for investigating microscopic conductivity of hybrid thermoelectric materials.

Source: Journal of Electronic Materials

DOI: 10.1007/s11664-016-4954-y

Authors: Tiezheng Bian, Jamie N. Peck, Stephen P. Cottrell, Upali A. Jayasooriya, Yimin Chao

Institutions: University of East Anglia, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Language: English

Topic: Muon and positron interactions and applications

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,390

Funder: Science and Technology Facilities Council