Volatile Hexavalent Oxo-amidinate Complexes: Molybdenum and Tungsten Precursors for Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract

New complexes MoO2(tBuAMD)2 (1) and WO2(tBuAMD)2 (2) (AMD = acetamidinato) are synthesized and fully characterized as precursors for atomic layer deposition (ALD). They contain metal-oxo functionalities not previously utilized in ALD-type growth processes and are fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, single-crystal XRD, and elemental analysis. Guided by quartz-crystal microbalance studies, ALD growth methodologies for both complexes have been developed. Remarkably, these isostructural compounds exhibit dramatic differences in ALD properties. Using 1 and O3, amorphous, ultrathin molybdenum oxynitride (MoON) films are grown on Si(100) wafers. Using 2 and H2O yields amorphous WO3 films on Si(100) wafers that crystallize as WO3 nanowires upon annealing. Although 1/H2O and 2/O3 growth was attempted, effective ALD growth could only be obtained with 1/O3 and 2/H2O, underscoring reactivity differences in these precursors. Film thick...