A comparative study of GaSb(100) surface passivation by aqueous and nonaqueous solutions

We report a nonaqueous passivation regime consisting of Na2S/benzene/15-crown-5/oxidant. The use of a nonpolar, aprotic organic medium required the addition of a specific chelating agent (15-crown-5) to solubilize sodium sulfide, and organic oxidizing agents (anthraquinone, benzophenone, etc.) to act as electron acceptors. The surface optical and chemical properties of GaSb surfaces after aqueous and nonaqueous sulfide treatments were compared. Nonaqueous passivation resulted in higher photoluminescence (PL) intensity, lower oxide content, and a less amount of elemental Sb than aqueous passivation. The PL intensity from passivated surfaces was correlated with the standard reduction potentials of electron acceptors. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.