pH and redox potential dependence of the flatband potential of n-type GaAs in methanol
Résumé
Previous studies concerning the behaviour of n-type (100) GaAs in organic
media have shown a dependence of the flatband potential V~b on the solution's
redox potential [1,2]. Results obtained in CH3OH and CH3CN redox solutions
indicated an almost complete Fermi level pinning (FLP) of the semiconductor. In
these studies, pH effects were omitted, because CH3CN is an aprotic solvent and,
in the case of CH3OH, very small pH variations were registered upon the addition
of the different redox couples used. These variations, excluding two couples, did
not exceed two pH units. As Vro shifts ranged over 0.7-0.8 V, the pH effect on the
Vfb shift was considered to be negligible.
To study the combined effect of a solution's redox potential and pH on the
flatband potential displacement of an n-GaAs (100) surface, measurements were
made in CH3OH solutions with different pH values. The pH of the solution was
varied between 0.7 and 12 in methanol. The flatband potential was determined in
different solutions before and after the addition of a given redox couple. These
results are presented in the following communication.