Sensitization of p-GaP by Physisorbed Triarylmethane Dyes

Abstract

p-Type gallium phosphide (GaP) electrodes have been sensitized by triarylmethane dyes physisorbed from aqueous solutions. This work is the first to show light-stimulated hole injection from an adsorbed molecular chromophore on native GaP surfaces. Freshly etched p-GaP(100) and p-GaP(111)A electrodes were loaded with physisorbed dye by brief soaking in solutions of Fast Green. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, corroborated by Auger electron spectroscopy, indicated that such treatments yield undetectable surface coverages. However, steady-state photoelectrochemical responses consistently showed that sub-bandgap photoresponses were commensurate with light absorption by the adsorbed dye. The photoresponse characteristics were clearly insensitive to the identity and amount of intended redox mediators dissolved in solution at low light intensities. Instead, the data suggest electrochemically active surface states related to the cathodic degradation of GaP can accept electrons from photoexcited physisorbed dye. ...