Chemical Modification of the Photoluminescence Quenching of Porous Silicon

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Abstract
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.