Relationship between storage media and blue photoluminescence for oxidized porous silicon

Blue photoluminescence is observed, with nanosecond decay time, from rapid thermally oxidized porous silicon as a result of accelerated aging in plastic containers. Photoluminescence measurements, combined with chemical analyses of the “aged” porous silicon, indicate that the emission is a consequence of the incorporation of trace organic (hydrocarbon) contamination from the plastic containers as they outgas at a mildly elevated temperature (80 °C) and, albeit at a reduced rate, at room temperature. Such carbonaceous contaminants can subsequently be removed by high-temperature annealing, a process which also quenches the blue photoluminescence. Consequently, it is important to take into consideration the storage medium used when making comparative luminescent and compositional studies of porous silicon and, perhaps, porous materials in general.