Chemical Modification of the Photoluminescence Quenching of Porous Silicon

The photoluminescence of porous silicon can be quenched by adsorbates, and the degree of quenching can be tuned by chemical derivatization of the porous silicon surface. Thus, as-prepared porous silicon has a hydrophobic, hydrogen-terminated surface, and the photoluminescence is strongly quenched by ethanol and weakly quenched by water. Mild chemical oxidation (iodine followed by hydrolysis) produces a hydrophilic porous silicon surface. Photoluminescence from this hydrophilic material is quenched to a lesser extent by ethanol and to a greater extent by water, relative to the original surface. This demonstrates that the visible luminescence from porous silicon is highly surface-sensitive, and the surface interactions can be tuned by specific chemical transformations.