As-anodized porous silicon (PS) was investigated in situ by photolumin
escence (PL) during the adsorption of H2O, O-2, C2H5OH and C-2(CN)(4)
molecules. The PL intensity was increased during H2O adsorption (to 13
0%) and decreased by adsorption of O-2 (to 30%), C2H5OH (to 22%) and C
-2(CN)(4) (to 5%). A strong blue shift was observed during the C2H5OH
adsorption. The reversibility of the adsorption-induced PL changes was
compared for the different atmospheres. Reversibility by the simple c
ycle high vacuum pumping (HV) -adsorption-HV could be reached only for
C2H5OH. The PL changes induced by H2O and C-2(CN)(4) adsorption were
good (H2O) or partially (C-2(CN)(4)) reversible in combination with he
at treatment at 420 K in HV. The O-2-adsorption-induced PL changes are
not reversible by simple or modified cycles.