The authors report on the optical properties of GaInP/GaP double-heterostructure (DH) core-shell nanowires (NWs) embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. Self-catalyzed NW structures are grown on Si (111) substrates by initiating with the formation of Ga droplets as a catalyst which is followed by the growth of GaP core and GaInP DH shells. Optical characteristics of GaInP/GaP DH core-shell NWs transferred from Si substrates into PDMS membranes show enhanced 77 K light emission at 630 nm. The signal at 775 nm from the surface states of NWs can be mitigated by embedding the NWs in a PDMS membrane that acts as a surface state passivant. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3455340]