Storage of luminescent nanoparticles in porous silicon: Toward a solid state “golden fleece”

Meso-porous silicon layers and free-standing membranes are studied as solid-state safe storing matrixes for luminescent Si and 3C–SiC nanoparticles. The porous silicon “fleece” is shown to soak efficiently and easily a great number of luminescent nanoparticles from ethanol solution. Incorporation of the nanoparticles inside the meso-pores after ethanol evaporation was illustrated by photoluminescence and reflection spectroscopies. Numerous reproducible extractions of the nanoparticles from the meso-porous network can be ensured by controlled adding a few drops of pure ethanol.