The 14th Global Conference on Materials Science and Engineering
(CMSE 2025)

Abstract: Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials due to their biocompatibility and tunable photoluminescence. In this study, we report a gram-scale, one-pot synthesis of methoxy-functionalized SiQDs (SiQDs–OMe), along with comprehensive characterization of their optical properties and stability in aqueous environments. FT-IR analysis confirmed successful surface modification with methoxy groups. UV–Vis and PL spectra demonstrated strong emission under UV excitation, while time-resolved photoluminescence revealed multi-exponential decay behavior, indicating both radiative and surface-related non-radiative pathways. Notably, SiQDs–OMe retained more than 50% of their initial quantum yield after one week in water, highlighting their potential for bioimaging and sensing applications in aqueous media.

Keywords: Silicon quantum dots, water-soluble, one-pot synthesis, gram-scale, methoxy-functionalization

Biography: Honglae Sohn is a leading expert in sensor technologies and semiconductor chemistry based on nanoscale materials. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin (USA) and conducted research on silicon-based sensors at the University of California, San Diego. He is currently a full professor in the Department of Chemistry at Chosun University (Republic of Korea), where he leads various applied research projects involving silicon nanomaterials, including chemical sensors and flexible memory devices. He has published numerous SCI-indexed articles, holds several related patents, and his work has been cited approximately 4,000 times. Prof. Sohn has served as President of the Korean Silicon Society and as an International Advisory Board Member for Porous Semiconductors Science and Technology. He also contributes as a reviewer and evaluator across various industrial sectors, playing a key role in both academia and industry.