Harnessing Spark Discharge Plasma: Innovative Synthesis of Si NPs and Si@Al Nanoparticles in an Aquatic Environment

Abstract

The study aims to produce two types of nanoparticles: pure silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and silicon nanoparticles decorated with aluminum nanoparticles (Si@Al) using the electric explosion spark strip technique. The electron temperature T_e and electron number density n_e of aluminum plasma were calculated using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) for different exploding currents, as they significantly impact the decoration process’ efficiency. The electron temperature (0.58865–1.14220 eV) and density (12.80737 × 1017 cm⁻³–16.39344 × 1017 cm⁻³) increased with increasing exploding current. Si nanoparticles (NPs) are versatile nanomaterials used in electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, catalysis, and medicine. Samples were prepared using explosion currents ranging from 50 to 250 A with increments of 50 A. The properties of Si and (Si/Al) NPs were studied using XRD, UV–Visible spectrometer, and TEM. XRD shows that the crystalline size of Si NPs decreases from 36.18 to 29 nm. TEM images also prove the same result in the Si nanoparticle size which decreases from 38.0 to 30.2 nm with increasing explosion currents. The size of Si NPs decorated with Al NPs increases with increasing explosion currents, as shown in TEM images. The antibacterial effectiveness of Si NPs was tested against three types of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudo)). The results showed the efficiency of silicone particles in inhibiting the activity of germs so that they can be used to kill pathogenic bacteria.