Mesoporous silicon nanoparticles covered with PEG molecules by mechanical grinding in aqueous suspensions

We propose a one-step procedure to stabilize mesoporous silicon nanoparticles in aqueous solutions by polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating during grinding in a planetary ball mill. The milling is done in aqueous medium that allows us to directly obtain the aqueous suspension of PEGylated nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles are investigated by means of the scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen sorption, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy, which reveal the nanoparticle size of 50–100 nm, preservation of the nanocrystallinity and mesopores. The PEGylated nanoparticles are found to be stable in aqueous solution for at least 24 h. The proposed PEGylation method can be used to control the physical properties and stability of mesoporous silicon nanoparticles for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] •PEG-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles were formed by grinding in water.•Raman spectroscopy reveals nanocristalline structure of PEG-coating mesoporous silicon nanoparticles.•PEG-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles exhibit enhanced photoluminescence.•PEGylation is a one-step way of regulating the dissolution of silicon nanoparticles.•PEGylation of silicon nanoparticles is promising for use of latter as nanocontainers.