Germanium oxide removal by citric acid and thiol passivation from citric acid-terminated Ge(100).
Many applications of germanium (Ge) are underpinned by effective oxide removal and surface passivation. This important surface treatment step often requires H-X (X = Cl, Br, I) or HF etchants. Here, we show that aqueous citric acid solutions are effective in the removal of GeOx. The stability of citric acid-treated Ge(100) is compared to HF and HCl treated surfaces and analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Further Ge surface passivation was investigated by thiolation using alkane monothiols and dithiols. The organic passivation layers show good stability with no oxide regrowth observed after 3 days of ambient exposure.
Department of Chemistry, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
Gillian
G
Collins
Damien
D
Aureau
Justin D
JD
Holmes
Arnaud
A
Etcheberry
Colm
C
O'Dwyer
D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005857:Germanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D005857:Germanium; D019343:Citric Acid; C040516:germanium oxide