Room Temperature Synthesis of Tellurium by Solution Atomic Layer Deposition

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jessica Willkommen - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Amin Bahrami - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Nicolas Perez Rodriguez - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Angelika Wrzesinska-Lashkova - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Yana Vaynzof - , Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Chair of Emerging Electronic Technologies (gB/IFW and cfaed), Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Kornelius Nielsch - , Chair of Metallic Materials and Metal Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Sebastian Lehmann - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

This study demonstrates the deposition of tellurium (Te) on silicon/silicon nitride substrates using solution atomic layer deposition (sALD) at ambient temperature. The process employs tellurium tetrachloride (TeCl4) and bis(triethylsilyl)-telluride ((TES)2Te) as precursors, with toluene as the solvent. Growth parameters were optimized through systematic variation of the pulse and purge times. Morphological characterization via scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed needle-like crystallites, while X-ray diffractometry confirmed the crystalline nature of the deposited Te. Increasing the number of deposition cycles resulted in larger Te crystallites and enhanced substrate surface coverage. A thin amorphous carbon shell surrounding the crystallites and carbon inclusions was observed, likely originating from the organic solvent. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy analysis indicated high-purity Te films with minimal surface oxidation. The small chlorine signal suggested a near-complete precursor reaction and the efficient purging of byproducts. This novel sALD approach presents a promising method for depositing Te on various surfaces under mild conditions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8056-8062
Number of pages7
JournalCrystal Growth and Design
Volume24
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - 2 Oct 2024
Peer-reviewedYes