Photoluminescence of 5 nm detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) is studied as a function of their surface treatment (hydrogenation/oxidation) and underlying substrate materials (silicon, gold, platinum, and nickel). The sub-strates affect DND photoluminescence emission spectrum and lifetime in the spectral range of 600–800 nm. The dependence is different for hydrogenated and oxidized DNDs. We attribute these effects to different electro-static charging of DNDs on the substrates with different work functions (4.4 to 5.5 eV). We discuss the data based on naturally present NV centers, their phonon sideband, and surface-related non-radiative transitions.