Hydrogen in porous silicon — A review

•Particular role of hydrogen in silicon porosification technology is considered.•Hydrogen bonding and storage in porous silicon are discussed.•Hydrogen influence on luminescence and electrical properties are analysed.•Porous silicon H2 gas sensors and pH-metres are illustrated.•Hydrogen-assisted explosion and porous silicon grafting are reviewed.

This review is devoted to summarising the hydrogen-assisted properties and applications of porous silicon (PS). The role of hydrogen as an intermediate product in silicon porosification technology is accentuated. The regularities of hydrogen bonding in PS and its applications for hydrogen storage are listed. The models of hydrogen influence on luminescence and electrical properties of PS are analysed. The corresponding applications of PS for H2 gas sensors and pH metres are illustrated. Hydrogen-assisted explosion and grafting of PS are discussed. Such a review can be useful for the tailoring of PS properties.