Properties of a novel nano-heterostructure, silicon/silicide/oxide nanochains, were investigated. In this structure, composite nanoparticles of silicon and copper silicide are covered with and connected by amorphous silicon oxide at a nearly equal spacing forming a chain-like structure. Photoluminescence (PL) from the material was obtained in visible-light region. The mean inner potential of the material across a silicon/silicide nano-heterojunction was also investigated by electron holography. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.