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Title: Exchange of Ions across the TiN/TaOx Interface during Electroformation of TaOx-Based Resistive Switching Devices

Journal Article · · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

The valence change model describes the resistive switching in metal oxide-based devices as due to electroreduction of the oxide and subsequent electromigration of oxygen vacancies. Here, we present cross-sectional X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy elemental maps of Ta, O, N, and Ti in electroformed TiN/TaO2.0/TiN structures. O, N, and Ti were exchanged between the anode and the functional oxide in devices formed at high power (~1 mW), but the exchange was below the detection limit at low power (<0.5 mW). All structures exhibit a similar Ta-enriched and O-depleted filament formed by the elemental segregation in the functional oxide by the temperature gradient. The elemental interchange is interpreted as due to Fick’s diffusion caused by high temperatures in the gap of the filament and is not an essential part of electroformation.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725; DMR-1905648; MCF-677785
OSTI ID:
1708843
Journal Information:
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 12, Issue 24; ISSN 1944-8244
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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