Photoluminescence decay dynamics of silver/porous-silicon nanocomposites formed by metal-assisted etching

► PL properties of Ag/porous-silicon composites by metal-assisted etching in Ag2O/HF are studied. ► Time resolved PL reveals that the nonradiative rate decreases with increase in Ag2O concentration. ► The number of light emitting Si nanocrystals in the composites increases with Ag2O concentration. ► The wavelength dependence of PL decay rate shows that the nonradiative rate is dispersive.