Reaction of the (111) faces of single-crystal indium phosphide with alkylating agents. Evidence for selective reaction of the P-rich face

Abstract

We wish to report that the P-rich, (111)B, face of single-crystal InP, but not the In-rich, (111)A, face of the same crystal, reacts with molecular reagents to yield surface-bound material derived from the apparent alkylation of a surface P atom. Exploitation of surface functional groups has been demonstrated to be very important in the attachment of molecular reagents and polymers to electrode surfaces. Electrodes derivatized with molecules have potential uses in analysis, fuel cells, electrosynthetic cells, and photoelectrochemical cells. We now wish to present evidence showing that an important photoelectrode material, InP, can be functionalized with molecules by reaction of the P-rich, (111)B, face with alkylating reagents.