Preparation and characterization of silicon nanoparticles (core) with gold nanoparticles (shell) configuration

Herein, we used a simple yet novel approach to create and characterize silicon nanoparticles Si NPs/core, gold nanoparticles AuNps/shell hybrid structure. The meso porous silicon layer was synthesized using a laser-supporting etching process with 50 mW/cm2 and 405 nm laser power density and illumination wavelength in a Teflon cell comprising a 1:3 volumetric ratio of 40 % HF in ethanol with etching current density of 25 mA/cm2 for 15 min. The SiNps/AuNps hybrid structure was synthesized by a simple ion reduction process of gold ions via dangling bonds of SiNps in an aqueous solution of HaUcl4 of 0.001 M for 5 min. The characterization of SiNps and SiNps/AuNps hybrid structure were investigated using FE-SEM, TEM, XRD and PL measurements. The results showed that the pores diameter ranged from 5 nm to 50 nm, while the average diameter of the SiNps core layer and AuNps shell layer are about 59.5 nm and 38 nm respectively. The surface morphology of the SiNps characterizes the synthesized hybrid structure; the PL emission of hybrid structure has a high intensity with blue shifting towards short wavelength compared with SiNps. Deposition of AuNps on SiNps led to synthesis more chemical stable hybrid structure with specific increase in the surface area.This resulting hybrid structure can be adoptedin various types of plasmonics and gas sensors in addition to optoelectronics devices. •The preparation and characterization of silicon nanoparticles (core) with gold nanoparticles (shell) configuration.•Silicon nanoparticles Si NPs/core, gold nanoparticles AuNps/shell hybrid structure was prepared by pulsed laser ablation method.•Study the influence of incorporating silicon nanoparticles Si NPs/core, gold nanoparticles AuNps/shell hybrid structure as prepared to optimize the shell thickness for the efficient performance of sensing applications.•A careful optical analysis is provided.•The cell was successfully tested as a photovoltaic device.