VN Thin Films via MOCVD Using a New Vanadium Precursor: Linking Growth Chemistry to Functional Surface Properties

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Jean Pierre Glauber - , Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)
  • Julian Lorenz - , Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) e.V. (Autor:in)
  • Ji Liu - , University College Cork (Autor:in)
  • Marietta Seifert - , Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Volker Hoffmann - , Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Carlos Abad - , Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) (Autor:in)
  • Detlef Rogalla - , Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)
  • Lars Giebeler - , Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Corinna Harms - , Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) e.V. (Autor:in)
  • Michael Wark - , Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (Autor:in)
  • Michael Nolan - , University College Cork (Autor:in)
  • Anjana Devi - , Professur für Materialchemie (gB/IFW), Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Fraunhofer-Institut für Mikroelektronische Schaltungen und Systeme (Autor:in)

Abstract

Vanadium nitride (VN) is a promising material for many applications, including the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR). Catalyst nanoengineering enables experimental validation of its predicted eNRR activity, but most VN catalysts are made by using methods that lack precise control. This study introduces a new metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process for high-quality, faceted, and crystalline VN thin films. N,N’-diisopropylformamidinatovanadate [V(dpfamd)3] is identified as a suitable precursor with favorable thermal properties. Using NH3 as a co-reactant yields pure crystalline VN thin films on Si substrates. To investigate structure–property relationships relevant to eNRR, the films are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry combined with nuclear reaction analysis (RBS/NRA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Observing NH3’s strong influence during growth, first principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations are performed, supporting an energetically favorable decomposition pathway of [V(dpfamd)3] to VN with NH3 present. Process transfer from Si to conductive Ti substrates, required for in-depth electrochemical testing, yields VN thin-film properties similar to those on Si. Preliminary eNRR measurements indicate a potential correlation between faceting and eNRR activity, highlighting the potential of MOCVD-grown VN thin films for future eNRR applications.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummere01972
FachzeitschriftSmall methods
Jahrgang10
Ausgabenummer3
Frühes Online-Datum18 Dez. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 9 Feb. 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • catalyst nanoengineering, density functional theory (DFT) simulation, electrochemical nitrogen reduction, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, precursor chemistries, structure–property correlation, vanadium nitride