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Title: Adsorption Processes during Electrochemical Atomic Layer Deposition of Gold

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Electrochemical atomic layer deposition (e-ALD) technique offers a simple and effective "wet chemistry" approach enabling high-precision monolayer-by-monolayer deposition of metal films. The process of e-ALD of Au involves lead underpotential deposition (PbUPD) followed by its redox replacement by a Au monolayer. The time evolution of the deposit mass during "one-pot" Au e-ALD is known to exhibit a unique three-stage response that is presently not well understood. In this work, we probe this response using voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (e-QCM), and chronoamperometry to unravel the underlying mechanistic events during Au e-ALD. Furthermore, the presence of adsorbed Au+3-ligand complex(es) (Au-L) on the Au surface is established. In stage I of e-ALD, this Au-L adsorbed layer is reduced to Au while a PbUPD adlayer is formed. In stage II, the PbUPD adlayer undergoes spontaneous surface-limited redox replacement by nobler Au under open-circuit conditions. Finally, in stage III, re-adsorption of the Au-L occurs on the newly deposited Au. Quantitative analysis of the deposit mass transients obtained under a variety of conditions provides an estimate of the Au-L mass and its molecular weight.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1837812
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-825881; 1040200
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 168, Issue 11; ISSN 0013-4651
Publisher:
IOP Publishing - The Electrochemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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