Kelvin probe studies of alkyl monolayers on silicon (111) for surface passivation

Abstract

A chlorination–alkylation procedure has been investigated with a view to improving the surface passivation properties on silicon. We have found that increasing surface coverage of the alkyl monolayer raises the measured SPV and recombination lifetime. A logarithmic trend is observed between the SPV and recombination, showing that monolayer preparation is an important factor in determining the lifetimes observed. The high SPVs measured by Kelvin probe suggest the presence of a silicon surface with a lower concentration of electrons, reducing surface recombination.