Material Analysis of Fluorescent Silicon (Si) Nanomaterial Prepared Electrochemically from Sodium Silicate Water Glass Solutions

Highly fluorescent films composed of Si-based nanomaterial were successfully fabricated, using an inexpensive low power electrodeposition process and the abundant least toxic water glass solutions. The films were successfully deposited on highly and moderately conducting substrates and selective area deposition was demonstrated. Different analytical techniques show that the produced films are strongly fluorescent and stable under UV excitation. Material and structural analysis confirm that the deposited films are composed of Si-based nanomaterial. The results were interpreted in terms of current-induced nucleation of silicon nanomaterial.