SKM 2021 – scientific programme

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HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 19: Poster Session IV

HL 19.13: Poster

Thursday, September 30, 2021, 13:30–16:30, P

Exploration of the electrochemical Interface of InP under applied potentials with Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy — •Margot Guidat, Mario Löw, Vibhav Yadav, Jongmin Kim, and Matthias M. May — Universität Ulm, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Ulm, Germany

A possible way to achieve a low-carbon energy leads through hydrogen, which can be produced via photoelectrochemical water splitting, in which III-V semiconductors play an important role [1]. However, surface corrosion results in limited performance of photoelectrochemical solar cells.

Some studies have reported that surface functionalization is a way to protect the surface, achieved by etching processes. However, this faces fundamental challenges, especially in electrochemical environments [2]. In this work, we investigate photoelectrochemical etching of Indium Phosphide (100) in contact with hydrochloric acid controlled by Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy: an in situ optical probe of electrochemical interfaces with very high interface sensitivity.

The RA spectra show a reversible build-up of an optical anisotropy in cathodic potential ranges, which might account for the reduction of InP into phosphine and metallic In. The latter would further react with HCl to form InCl interfacial film.

[1] Wang, T. and Gong, J. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 54, 10718-10732 (2015).

[2] B. L. Pearce, S. J. Wilkins, T. Paskova, A. Ivanisevic. Journal of Materials Research 2015, 30, 2859-2870.