The synthesis and surface properties of a composite material consisting of porous silicon/magnetite nanoparticles (PSi/Fe3O4 NPs) are demonstrated. PSi layers with intermediate pore size (similar to 100 nm) are prepared by electrochemical porosification of n-type Si wafer in a hydrofluoric acid-containing oxidizing agent and surfactant. The intrinsically luminescent PSi templates are infiltrated with ferromagnetic Fe3O4 NPs grown by a simple hydrothermal approach with average sizes ranging from 8 to 30 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of magnetic nanocomposite was enhanced after Fe3O4 loading, probably due to the recombination of photoexcited carriers within the nanocrystallites. Magnetization measurement for the nanocomposites indicated that the magnetic nanoparticles retain their ferromagnetic characteristic at room temperature. The nanocomposites have been characterized by various techniques including, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic measurements. The biocompatibility of both components and the ability to tailor the magnetic properties of the composite might be useful for magnetic and biomedical applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.