Photoelectrochemical reactions at the n-GaN electrode in 1 M H2SO4 and in acidic solutions containing Cl− ions

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical behaviour of n-GaN in contact with 1 M H₂SO₄ and with acidic solutions containing Cl⁻ ions was studied using rotating-ring-disk voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and etching experiments. It was found that n-GaN is stabilized against photoanodic decomposition in the presence of Cl⁻ ions due to the competing oxidation of Cl⁻ to Cl₂. The competition kinetics were interpreted on the basis of a mechanism, in which intrinsic surface states take part in the photoanodic oxidation of Cl⁻. The participation of such intrinsic surface states may explain the discrepancies found in the literature concerning the photoelectrochemical behaviour of n-GaN.