Wideband luminescence from bandgap-matched Mg-based Si core-shell geometry nanocomposite

We use wet treatment to integrate red-luminescent Si nanoparticles with Mg-based wide-bandgap insulators Mg(OH) and MgO (5.7 and 7.3 eV respectively). In the process, Mg2+ is reduced on Si nanoparticle clusters, while suffering combustion in water, producing a spatially inhomogeneous Mg(OH)2/MgO-Si nanoparticle composite with an inner material predominantly made of Si, and a coating consisting predominantly of magnesium and oxygen (“core-shell” geometry). The nanocomposite exhibit luminescence covering nearly entire visible range. Results are consistent with formation of Mg(OH)2/MgO phase with direct 3.43-eV bandgap matching that of Si, with in-gap blue-green emitting states of charged Mg and O vacancies. Bandgap match with nanocomposite architecture affords strong enough coupling for the materials to nearly act as a single hybrid material with novel luminescence for photonic and photovoltaic applications.