A polishing method, comprising polishing a substrate or layer at least one III-V material with a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) composition, wherein the chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) composition comprises:
- (A) surface modified silica particles having a negative zeta potential of −15 mV or below at a pH in the range of from 2 to 6;
- (B) at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of
- (i) substituted and unsubstituted triazoles not having an aromatic ring annealed to the triazol ring,
- (ii) benzimidazole,
- (iii) chelating agents selected from the group consisting of amino acids with two or more carboxyl groups, aliphatic carboxylic acids, and the respective salts thereof, and
- (iv) homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic acid, and the respective salts thereof;
- (C) water;
- and
- (D) optionally at least one further constituent, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of from 2 to 6.