PN junction diode barrier potential attracted to free electrons or holes?

[Ubaidsaleem]

I am wondering about the barrier in PN junction diode.Due to diffusion negative ions are formed on the P side and Positive ions are formed on the N side of the diode.both opposite sides exert force of attraction and so a line of positive ions and negative ions align along the junction.
The question is as free electrons remaining in the N region and also the holes in the P region left behind in the P region.Why these carriers are not attracted so electrons from the N side neutralize the positive ions in the N region and so as the holes in the P region.

Why the force is existing between the ions and not between the free electrons and the positive ions.

Second my question is why there is a barrier potential? When opposites and equal charges present in the depletion layer should cancel their electrostatic or electric field effect?

 

[Vailanor]

The barrier in a PN junction diode arises due to the fact that the majority carriers on each side of the diode (electrons in the N-region and holes in the P-region) are not free to move across the junction. This is because when an electron on the N-side diffuses over to the P-side, it will be attracted to the positive ions which were created as a result of diffusion and will be temporarily trapped in a potential well. Similarly, when a hole on the P-side diffuses to the N-side, it will be attracted to the negative ions and will be temporarily trapped in a potential well. This means that the majority carriers on either side of the diode will be unable to diffuse across the junction and the barrier potential will remain in place.