Syntheses of Powders Consisting Si-based Nanosheets Using Silicide Powders as Templates in Acid Solution

Abstract

Powders consisting of Si-based nanosheets were synthesized by Ca atom extraction from CaSi₂ powders using inositol hexakisphosphate （IP6）, which is known as a phytate for metal storage. The raw CaSi₂ powders were simply immersed in a diluted IP6 solution, then dried. It is noted that the Si-based nanosheets were easily exfoliated from the powders, to expose the surfaces corresponding to the Si｛111｝ planes of the nanosheet. The structural and infrared optical properties of the Si-based nanosheets were examined. In addition, Si-based nanostructures were also synthesized by metallic atom extraction from SrSi₂, BaSi₂ and Mg₂Si using the IP6 solution. It is found that the nanosheets mainly including amorphous phase were obtained for IP6-treated SrSi₂, BaSi₂ and Mg₂Si powders. Moreover, amorphous Si-based nanostructures were synthesized from CaSi₂ using citric acid and malic acid solutions. It is demonstrated that the morphological property of the synthesized Si-based nanostructures depends on the silicide templates and the solutions. New simple synthesis technique of Si-based nanostructures is proposed using the acid solutions.