Preparation of europium-doped porous silicon by constant-potential electrolysis and photoluminescence of porous silicon : Eu

A novel electrochemical approach, constant-potential electrolysis and a new electrolyte system, rare earth nitrate-supporting electrolyte substance-no nethanol organic solvent, for doping of porous silicon(PS) with europium we re reported. By this approach and system, the doping products were well con trolled, and a high concentration of Eu(about 10(21)/cm(3)) was doped into PS, The effects of solvents, applied voltage, concentration of Eu(NO3)(3) a nd doping time on photoluminescence of Eu-doped PS were investigated, and t he optimum doping conditions were optimized. PS : Eu prepared under suitabl e conditions was found to emit much more intense visible room-temperature l uminescence with blue-shift in wavelength than that of corresponding PS waf er. The photoluminescence mechanism for PS and PS : Eu was also discussed.