Electrical properties of junctions between Hg and Si(111) surfaces functionalized with short-chain alkyls

Metal-semiconductor junctions between Hg and chemically modified n- and p-Si(111) surfaces have been prepared and analyzed using current-voltage and differential capacitance-voltage methods. To understand the role of the interfacial dipole on interfacial charge transfer, silicon surfaces were modified with either nonstoichomietric oxide (SiOx), terminal monohydride, short (CnH2n+1-, n = 1, 2, 3) saturated alkyl chains, or propynyl (CH3-C=C-) groups. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the modified Si electrode surfaces taken before and after exposure to Hg contacts showed no evidence of irreversible chemical interactions between the Si and the Hg. Hg/Si contacts made using H-terminated Si(111) surfaces exhibited Schottky junctions having barrier heights (Phi(b)) that were consistent with the known surface electron affinity of Si and the work function of Hg. In contrast, Si coated with a thin, chemically grown oxide formed Hg/Si junctions having barrier heights suggestive of Fermi level pinning. Si(111) surfaces modified with methyl groups yielded Hg junctions having barrier heights in accord with expectations based on the electron affinity (3.67 eV) and surface dipole (0.38 eV) measured on such surfaces by photoemission spectroscopy, attesting to the degree of chemical control that can be exerted over the barrier heights of such systems by surface functionalization methods. Incomplete coverages of functional groups produced by alkylation with ethyl or iso-propyl groups did not greatly impact the observed values of Phi(b) relative to Phi(b) values observed for CH3-terminated Si(111) surfaces. However, the observed variation in Phi(b) between nominally identical samples increased as the number of carbons in the functionalizing alkyl group increased. Junctions between Hg and Si(111) surfaces modified with propynyl groups showed nearly identical behavior to that of CH3-Si(111)/Hg contacts, both in average Phi(b) values and standard deviation between samples. The behavior of Si/Hg interfaces modified with short organic functional groups is consistent with the efficacy and utility of passivated surfaces in modifying the properties of surface-based Si devices.