Chemical reactivity of hydrogen-terminated crystalline silicon surfaces

Chemical functionalization of hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces holds considerable promise from both fundamental and applied research aspects. This article covers a selection of examples concerning the proposed strategies for chemical grafting of different organic functionalities and further immobilization of biological molecules on the surface through covalent bonding. From the fundamental view point, the reaction mechanism is discussed in terms of electron-hole pair excitons generation or formation of delocalized radical cations at the silicon surface for the light-induced surface hydrosilylation. The electronic properties of the silicon/organic monolayer interface are investigated in details and direct detection of DNA hybridization using electrochemical means is presented.