Mechanochemical synthesis of amorphous s

This study investigates the mechanochemical synthesis of amorphous silicon nanoparticles using ball milling and an inert salt buffer to control particle size and growth. The primary objective is to explore the solid–liquid metathesis reaction involving silicon tetrachloride and lithium, with LiCl acting as a buffer to facilitate the formation of silicon nanoparticles. The methodology includes the removal of LiCl and subsequent analysis using electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy to identify the amorphous nature of the silicon produced. Results indicate the successful generation of spherical particles within the size range of 10 to 30 nm, which can be adjusted by varying the amount of salt buffer in the reactants. This mechanochemical approach presents a viable route for producing small silicon particles tailored for diverse applications, significantly impacting fields such as optoelectronics, integrated circuits, and hydrogen storage as a semiconductor material.