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Size‐Tunable Photothermal Germanium Nanocrystals
Author(s) -
Sun Wei,
Zhong Grace,
Kübel Christian,
Ali Feysal M.,
Qian Chenxi,
Wang Lu,
Ebrahimi Manuchehr,
Reyes Laura M.,
Helmy Amr S.,
Ozin Geoffrey A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201701321
Subject(s) - photothermal therapy , germanium , nanocrystal , nanomaterials , materials science , nanotechnology , raman spectroscopy , germanate , oxide , disproportionation , silicon , doping , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , chemistry , catalysis , optics , biochemistry , physics , engineering , metallurgy
Germanium nanocrystals (ncGe) have not received as much attention as silicon nanocrystals (ncSi). However, Ge has demonstrated superiority over Si nanomaterials in some applications. Examples include, high charge–discharge rate lithium‐ion batteries, [1] small band‐gap opto‐electronic devices, [2] and photo‐therapeutics. [3] When stabilized in an oxide matrix (ncGe/GeO x ), its high charge‐retention has enabled non‐volatile memories. [4] It has also found utility as a high‐capacity anode material for Li‐ion batteries with impressive stability. [5] Herein, we report an organic‐free synthesis of size‐controlled ncGe in a GeO x matrix as well as freestanding ncGe, via the thermal disproportionation of GeO prepared from thermally induced dehydration of Ge(OH) 2 . The photothermal effect of ncGe, quantified by Raman spectroscopy, is found to be size dependent and superior to ncSi. This advance suggests applications of ncGe in photothermal therapy, desalination, and catalysis.