Nanoparticles wtih grafted organic molecules

Abstract

An apparatus for producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is provided and includes a source of Group IV nanoparticles. A chamber is configured to carry the nanoparticles in a gas phase and has an inlet and an exit. The inlet configured to couple to an organic molecule source which is configured to provide organic molecules to the chamber. A plasma source is arranged to generate a plasma. The plasma causes the organic molecules to break down and/or activate in the chamber and bond to the nanoparticles. A method of producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is also provided and includes receiving Group IV nanoparticles in a gas phase, creating a plasma with the nanoparticles, and allowing the organic molecules to break down and/or become activated in the plasma and bond with the nanoparticles.

1 . An apparatus for producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles, comprising:
 a source of Group IV nanoparticles;   a chamber configured to carry the nanoparticles in a gas phase having an inlet and an exit;   an organic molecule source coupled to the inlet configured to provide organic molecules to the chamber;   a plasma source arranged to generate a plasma; and   wherein the plasma causes the organic molecules to break down and/or become activated in the chamber and bond to the particles.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including at least one electrode coupled to the chamber and a radio frequency (RF) signal source coupled to the electrode configured to create a plasma to break down and/or activate organic molecules in the chamber whereby organic molecules in the chamber bond to the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  including a second electrode coupled to the chamber and driven by the radio frequency (RF) signal source. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a filter coupled to the exit from the chamber arranged to receive particles from in the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the filter comprises a wire mesh. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the organic molecule source includes a gas source. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the organic molecule source includes a liquid precursor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein organic molecules are selected from the group of organic molecules consisting of 1-dodecene; Dodecane; Octyl-alcohol; 1-hexene; 1-hexyne; Hexane; Hexyl-alcohol; Hexyl-amine; 1-pentene; Acrylic acid; Allylamine; Ethylene-Diamine; Decyl-aldehyde (Decanal); Ethylene-glycol; compounds with saturated carbon bonds; compounds with one or more aromatic rings; compounds with unsaturated terminal functional group; alcohols (—OH), thiols (—SH), amines (—NH 2 ), aldehydes)-CH═O), carboxylic acids (—COOH); compounds with one or more aromatic rings or unsaturated terminal functional group and with more than one of the same functional group present in the same molecule; compounds with one or more aromatic rings or unsaturated terminal functional group and with different functional groups present in the same molecule. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the organic molecule source includes a solid precursor or a gaseous precursor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the inlet for the organic molecule source is positioned in an afterglow of a plasma of the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nanoparticles are generated from the nanoparticles sources consisting of plasmas, thermal methods, laser pyrolysis, laser photolysis, laser ablation, liquid phase reactions, combustion processes and flame processes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the Group IV nanoparticles comprise doped nanoparticles. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the Group IV nanoparticles comprise silicon or germanium. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plasma also provides electromagnetic radiation (such as visible or ultraviolet radiation) to assist bonding of the organic molecules to the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a second source of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a second organic molecule source. 
     
     
         17 . A method of producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles, comprising:
 receiving Group IV nanoparticles in a gas phase;   creating a plasma to immerse the nanoparticles in;   providing organic molecules to the nanoparticles; and   allowing the organic molecules to break down and/or become activated in the plasma and bond with the nanoparticles.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 18  including collecting nanoparticles in a filter from the exit of the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  including applying an RF signal to an electrode to form the plasma. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein providing organic molecules comprises providing a liquid, solid or gaseous precursor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 21  including injecting a gas into the liquid precursor to thereby bubble the liquid precursor and provide the organic molecules. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the organic molecules are acetylene or methane. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  including injecting a gas into a liquid precursor. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the organic molecules are provided in an afterglow of a plasma of the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the Group IV nanoparticles comprises silicon or germanium. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  including using the plasma to also provide a source of radiation to assist bonding of the organic molecules to the nanoparticles. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17  wherein receiving nanoparticles comprises receiving doped nanoparticles.