ORGANOSILANE-STABILIZED NANOPARTICLES OF SI OR GE IN AN OXIDE MATRIX

摘要

Photoactive materials made from Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix and methods for making the photoactive materials are provided. In some instances, the nanoparticles are functionalized with organosilanes to provide nanoparticle-organosilane compounds. The photoactive materials may be formed by subjecting the nanoparticles or nanoparticle compounds to a sol-gel process. The photoactive materials are well-suited for use in devices which convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, including photovoltaic devices, photoconductors, and photodetectors.