Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 March 2011
Changes in particle size, surface properties, and composition brought about by planetary grinding of silicon in air and various permittivity liquids were investigated. Using a variety of spectroscopic techniques (ESR, IRS, and XPS), a mechanically induced surface oxidation was proved. While at grinding in air and organic liquids a part of the centers originating from dangling orbitals on SiIII are preserved, the properties of water-ground silicon are fully governed by the oxide surface shell. The most effective particle size reduction and surface protection can be reached by grinding in nonpolar liquids.