TiN Interlayer Research Articles

Ferroelectric capacitors with triple level cell storage capability at low operating voltage by introducing TiN interlayer

Ferroelectric capacitors with triple level cell storage capability at low operating voltage by introducing TiN interlayer

Al-40Sn ALLOY PRODUCED BY SELECTIVE LASER MELTING OF A MIXTURE OF ELEMENTARY POWDERS

Al-40Sn alloy was synthesized by selective laser melting (SLM) of a mixture of elemental powders. In the structure of the alloy, traces of a semi-elliptical melt are observed, the boundaries of the melt regions are decorated with pores and inclusions of tin. The internal structure of melt traces consists of finely crystalline regions with identically oriented columnar Al crystals separated by thin layers of tin. With an increase in laser power, the rate of crystallization of the melt decreases, and the cells of aluminum crystals increase, and with them the thickness of the tin interlayers separating them also increases. The porosity of the alloy decreases slowly with increasing power, and to minimize it, a change in the parameters of the SLM process is required.

Interlayer texturing for improving the tribological property in vacuum of highly crystallized molybdenum disulfide film

The work reports on the morphologies and the tribological properties of MoS2 films deposited onto the as-deposited or textured TiN and WC interlayers. The closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputtered MoS2 film exhibited dense structure without obvious voids or columnar morphology. Meanwhile, plenty of MoS2 nanowires or nanorods were grown on the film surface. With the laser-textured TiN or WC interlayer introduced, both the textured TiN/MoS2 film and WC/MoS2 film exhibited a long lubricating life higher than 8.0 × 105 sliding cycles, much higher than that for the un-textured films or pure MoS2 film.

HYDROXYAPATITE/Si-DOPED TiN INTERLAYER COATINGS AS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR SURFACE MODIFICATION OF MEDICAL-GRADE 316 LVM STAINLESS STEEL FOR BIOIMPLANT APPLICATIONS

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was deposited by plasma spraying technique with TiSiN adhesive interlayer on the medical-grade 316 LVM stainless steel. The surface topographies of HAp and HAp/TiSiN were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The important mechanical properties of the films such as hardness ([Formula: see text]) and elastic modulus ([Formula: see text]) were determined by the nanoindentation test. Lastly, the adhesion and anti-scratch behaviors of the films were evaluated by Rockwell-C indentation and nanoscratch test, respectively. The elemental analysis showed the values of Ca/P (at.%/at.%) ratio to be 1.80 and 1.59 in HAp and HAp/TiSiN coatings, respectively. The mechanical properties of HAp film with TiSiN interlayer were greatly improved from 1.23[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.26[Formula: see text]GPa to 10.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.12[Formula: see text]GPa for hardness and from 18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3[Formula: see text]GPa and 29.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] 5[Formula: see text]GPa for elastic modulus, respectively. The results of the Rockwell-C indentation test showed a significant reduction in HAp coating delamination with TiSiN interlayer which can be categorized with HF2 or HF3 Daimler–Benz quality ranking. What is more, the nanoscratch profile of HAp coating showed wider scratch with evidence of deformation at the edges which got significantly reduced with the TiSiN interlayer. The results are suggestive of improved mechanical properties, viz. hardness and elastic modulus, and improved adhesion strength of HAp coating with TiSiN interlayer.

Enhanced sensitivity towards hydrogen by a TiN interlayer in Pd-decorated SnO2 nanowires

In this study, we designed a new structure based on Pd-decorated TiN-coated SnO2 nanowires (NWs) for the selective detection of H2 gas.

The influence of residual tin following induction melt thermoforming of composite parts

Recently, a novel thermoforming process involving induction heating of tin interlayers to create ‘lubricated blanks’ using low viscosity molten tin was demonstrated (“iMelt”) (Harrison et al., 2020). Important to the success of the method is expulsion of the tin interlayer from the blank using a multi-step thermoforming operation. Approaches to characterise the quantity of residual tin and impact on the mechanical properties of the formed parts are established. 3D x-ray CT was used to accurately determine residual tin content while results from 2D x-ray scanning were shown to be highly-correlated with the 3D data and therefore can be a faster, low-cost alternative. After gradual refinement of the process, it was shown that residual tin volumes as low as 1.6 % were achievable in flat laminates. Compared to reference samples consolidated without tin, the remnant tin caused a reduction in yield strength and flexural stiffness, while producing comparable ultimate interlaminar shear strength.

Super Bonding Strength of Al2O3 Nanoparticles Reinforced Sn Interlayer Steel/Aluminum Bimetal Casting

For specialized applications, it is incumbent to develop new materials that enable manufacturers to develop new processes and designs. For better fuel economy, structural integrity, and lightweight applications, the development of bimetallic steel/aluminum (Al) alloys having a strong interfacial bond is required. Therefore, a mild steel/Al-bearing alloy bimetallic composite was investigated in this study. Firstly, a tin (Sn) interlayer was developed between the steel substrate and the Al-bearing alloy by the tinning process. For further improvement in the interfacial integrity, alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were added to the Sn powder during the tinning process. Four different wt.% of Al2O3 nanoparticles of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 were added and mixed thoroughly with Sn powder before mixing them with flux prior to the tinning process. Finally, molten Al-bearing alloy (Al–Sn-Si–Cu) was poured over the Al2O3 nanoparticles reinforced tinned steel substrate. A cross-section of the steel/Al-bearing alloy bimetallic composite was prepared for optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and shear testing. The cross-section microstructure of the steel/Al-bearing alloy bimetallic composite revealed irregular and discontinuous interfacial layers in the case of the low-temperature (170 °C) tinning process. However, a uniform, continuous interfacial layer was fabricated during the tinning process when additional preheat to the steel substrate and tinning process was adopted. It can be reported that low Al2O3 nanoparticles loading (0.25%) and steel substrate preheating were recommended for the better interfacial layer in the steel/Al-bearing alloy bimetallic composite.

Role of atomic layer deposited TiOxNy interlayer in tribological and corrosion properties of CrN coating

The growth defects in the sputtered CrN coatings can worsen their tribological and corrosion properties. To improve the above deficiency, the atomic layer deposited TiN was deposited on the sputtered CrN layer, oxidized and then again coated by CrN to form the sandwich-structured CrN/TiO x N y /CrN composite coating . The insertion of the TiO x N y interlayer resulted in (111) preferred orientation and the grain refinement of CrN crystals, leading to the improvement in its mechanical performance and corrosion resistance . As the thickness of the TiO x N y layer increased, the mechanical and corrosion properties of the composite coatings were further improved. The composite coating inserted with a 30 nm-thick TiO x N y interlayer delivered the greatest corrosion resistance, the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate as well as high hardness and adhesion strength , which could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the multilayered TiO x N y interlayer. • Atomic layer deposited TiN interlayer is inserted into CrN hard coating. • The oxidization of TiN results in a multilayer-structured TiO x N y interlayer. • Synergistic effect of the interlayers improves the tribological properties of CrN. • Corrosion resistance of CrN is also enhanced by inserting the TiN x O y interlayer.

Silicon-integrated monocrystalline oxide–nitride heterostructures for deep-ultraviolet optoelectronics

New opportunities for high-performance CMOS-compatible optoelectronic devices have accelerated the interest in vertically configured device topologies that enable next-generation photonic technologies. Lately, TiN has been identified as a promising refractory metal–ceramic for the hybrid integration of emerging semiconductor materials on a variety of substrates, including Si, MgO, and sapphire. Among these, Si is the least expensive and most commonly used element and substrate material in the semiconductor device industry. Following these examples, a hybrid oxide–nitride–Si stack is proposed and thoroughly investigated herein for its potential use in DUV optoelectronic device applications. The stack comprises β-Ga2O3 thin films grown heteroepitaxially on TiN/Si platforms, wherein the TiN interlayers were heteroepitaxially grown on bulk (100)-oriented Si and act as lattice-mismatched templates and bottom device electrodes. Albeit the relatively large lattice mismatch between Si and TiN, a low in-plane rotation of 3 ∘ revealed that the TiN layers continued to grow as a bulk crystal, paving the way for heteroepitaxial β-Ga2O3 thin films being grown without exhibiting amorphous and metastable phases. DUV photodetectors based on this optoelectronic heterostructure exhibited average peak spectral responsivity and external quantum efficiency levels as high as 249 A/W and 1.23 × 105%, respectively, in the ultraviolet-C regime at an illuminating power density of around 12 µW/cm2.

Study on the effect of tin and antimony oxide interlayer on the performance of titanium-based manganese dioxide anode

Tin-antimony interlayer and manganese dioxide active catalytic coating were prepared on titanium plate by coating and thermal decomposition. The load of interlayer and calcination temperature were selected as the influencing factors for univariate experiment. The seen morphology of the electrode was explored by SEM. The electrocatalytic performance and oxygen evolution mechanism were analyzed by testing the cyclic voltammetry curve, oxygen evolution polarization curve and AC impedance graph, the optimal preparation conditions of the Ti-Mno2 anode interlayer were obtained.

Enhancing the stability and electrocatalytic activity of Ti-based PbO2 anodes by introduction of an arc-sprayed TiN interlayer

Ti/TiN/PbO2 electrodes were prepared using an arc-sprayed TiN interlayer on Ti substrates, followed by the anodic electrodeposition of a PbO2 catalytic surface layer on it. In order to investigate the positive effect of the TiN interlayer on the stability and electrocatalytic activity of the anodes, microstructural, surface roughness, adhesion evaluation, accelerated life and electrochemical performance tests and electrooxidation experiments of phenol simulated wastewater were conducted and compared with Ti/PbO2 anodes without the interlayer. The experimental results demonstrated that the arc-sprayed TiN interlayer with a thickness of 140–180 μm had a higher surface roughness and hardness than that of its titanium substrate. The coatings forming the electrode were firmly bonded to the substrate. The conductivity of the Ti-based PbO2 anode containing the TiN interlayer was significantly improved. The PbO2 surface coating achieved a faster deposition rate and finer grains, which produce a number of anode active sites and the electrocatalytic performance was boosted with a removal rate of phenol of up to 85.2%, which was higher than that of Ti/PbO2 by 30.6%. Simultaneously, the anode stability was also significantly enhanced, i.e., the Ti/TiN/PbO2 anode constructed by introducing the TiN interlayer exhibited excellent stability and electrocatalytic performance. The high-performance anode obtained relied not only on the presence of the arc-sprayed TiN interlayer, which significantly improved the overall physicochemical properties of the electrode, but also on the kinetic rate of the electrocrystallization growth of the refined PbO2 coating that was accelerated.

Heteroepitaxial β‐Ga2O3 on Conductive Ceramic Templates: Toward Ultrahigh Gain Deep‐Ultraviolet Photodetection (Adv. Mater. Technol. 9/2021)

Deep-Ultraviolet Photodetector Nasir Alfaraj, Boon S. Ooi, and colleagues demonstrate a deep-ultraviolet photodetector with remarkable photosensitivity in article number 2100142. Their novel device topology is realized through the disordered nucleation of beta-polymorph Ga2O3 crystals on monocrystalline TiN interlayers forming an oxide–nitride vertical heterostructure stack housed on a MgO substrate. A spectral responsivity of 276 A/W at an illuminating power density of around 70 μW/cm2 is achieved.

Effects of plasma nitriding interlayer on adhesion and tribological behaviors of AlTiSiN coating

Purpose This study aims to the service life of TA15 alloy by solving the problem of the binding force between the matrix and AlTiSiN coating. The effect of a plasma nitriding (PN) interlayer on the magnetron-sputtered AlTiSiN coating was also investigated in detail. Design/methodology/approach The double-glow plasma alloying (DGPA) and magnetron sputtering (MS) techniques were combined as a new approach to realize a bilayer on TA15 consisting of an AlTiSiN layer with a PN interlayer. A TiN interlayer was formed via co-diffusion during the PN conducted at 1050°C for 3 h. Findings The PN interlayer can effectively improve the adhesion between coating and matrix; the PN/AlTiSiN coating presented excellent adhesion (80.1 N) and anti-wear property with a nano-hardness of 18.62 GPa. The resulting three-dimensional wear-track morphology exhibited a shallow depth and a narrow width. Originality/value The novel combination of the DGPA and MS technologies, using an infiltration layer rather than a coating one as the intermediate layer, can effectively enhance the adhesion between AlTiSiN coating and TA15 matrix. Meanwhile, the gradient layer can effectively improve both surface bearing and wear resistance.

Heteroepitaxial β‐Ga2O3 on Conductive Ceramic Templates: Toward Ultrahigh Gain Deep‐Ultraviolet Photodetection

AbstractThis article investigates the ultrahigh sensitivity and DUV photodetection capability of a hybrid oxide‐nitride stack comprising β‐Ga2O3 layers grown heterogeneously on a conductive ceramic crystal. The ceramic crystal, namely a TiN interlayer, which acts as a lattice template, was heteroepitaxially grown on bulk MgO. Because β‐Ga2O3 is a monoclinic phase crystal, it is conjectured that its nucleation and growth process on cubic phase TiN is entropic in nature, whereby the two unit cell configurations of the β‐Ga2O3 crystal, exhibiting rotational twin domains, grew alternately side by side in a semiperiodic manner on TiN while maintaining a single crystal phase. This film formation mechanism contributed to the introduction of additional defects in the β‐Ga2O3 lattice (Taylor's dislocations in addition to growth‐induced vacancies). The fabricated DUV photodetectors based on the resulting metal‐semiconductor junction heterodiodes exhibited an average peak spectral responsivity of 276.72 A W−1 and fast decay constants in the order of 500 ms in the ultraviolet‐C regime, with true solar‐blind characteristics manifested by ultraviolet‐to‐visible rejection ratios of up to 2 × 103 and illuminating power density of around 70 μW cm−2. The crystallographic orientation relationships between the TiN and β‐Ga2O3 crystals, as well as the lattice fit and dislocation types, are revealed and examined.

Bandgap engineered Cu2ZnGexSn1−xS4 solar cells using an adhesive TiN back contact layer

Kesterite-based solar cells are mainly restricted by their lower than expected open-circuit voltage (Voc) due to non-radiative recombination. Therefore, an approach to reduce bulk and interface recombination through band gap grading to induce a back surface field is attempted. This contribution presents the challenges in the formation of compositional grading of the wide bandgap material Cu2ZnGexSn1−xS4 (CZGTS) and successful fabrication of solar cells with an additional adhesive TiN interlayer. It is observed that the TiN interlayer improves adhesion between CZGTS and the back contact. The microstructure of the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) film is significantly affected by the concentration of Ge, and the existence of a Ge concentration gradient is strongly correlated to the formation of smaller Ge-rich and larger Sn-rich grains. The bandgap grading is exploited with a moderate Ge concentration of up to (Ge/(Ge+Sn) = 0.25) in CZTS. As the Ge profile stretched all the way to the front interface, the cliff-like band alignment at the front interface of the absorber could negate the beneficial effect of Ge inclusion in the bulk and back interface of the absorber. Ordering the absorber can introduce an additional downward shift in the valence band. In one of the samples, the increased ordering and high concentration of Ge in CZTS are suggested to enhance the hole barrier at the back interface. It is concluded that the effect of the bandgap grading with Ge can only be realized with optimization of interface band alignment and back contact formation.

Effects of ceramic-based CrN, TiN, and AlCrN interlayers on wear and friction behaviors of AlTiSiN+TiSiN PVD coatings

In this study, the wear and friction behavior of cathodic arc physical vapor deposited AlTiSiN+TiSiN coatings on H13 tool steels were investigated by using CrN, TiN and AlCrN interlayers with tribometer tests both under unlubricated and boundary lubricated conditions. 6 mm alumina balls were used as counter surfaces to test ceramic hard coatings. Surface coatings were characterized through nanoindentation, scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDXS), optical profilometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The results showed that especially AlTiSiN+TiSiN coating with TiN interlayer resulted in a much more enhanced tribological performance of the tool steels at both unlubricated and the boundary lubricated conditions even at elevated contact pressures.

Laser-patterned Si/TiN/Ge anode for stable Si based Li-ion microbatteries

Progress in micro/nano-electro-mechanical system (M/NEMS) and microelectronics technologies urgently require the synchronous development of the micro/nano energy storage systems. Herein, a novel patterned Si/TiN/Ge electrode is fabricated on the Si substrate surface by the facile femtosecond-laser direct writing and the microelectronic thin film deposition techniques. The surface-engraved Si/TiN/Ge electrode displays superior cyclability and rate capability when evaluated as anode for lithium ion microbatteries (LIMBs). The patterned TiN interlayer can act as an effective buffer layer to optimize the Li ions storage in the Si substrate, and the introduction of the Ge nanocomposites would further enhance the areal capacity, thus eventually bring the improved electrochemical performance. Moreover, the Li ions storage behaviours are experimentally investigated from the post morphologies of all the cycled electrodes, and theoretically studied by the COMSOL Multiphysics simulations and the first principles calculations. These results would shed light on the new strategy to design and exploit other high-performance Si based LIMBs.

Влияние кремния на свойства спечённых сплавов системы (Al – Si) – Sn

Structural features of composites of the (Al – xSi) – 40Sn system prepared by liquid-phase sintering of mixtures of tin powder of PO 2 grade with powders of Al – Si alloys of hypoeutectic, eutectic, and hypereutectic composition were studied in this work. Samples were cut from the prepared materials for compression test and dry friction test against steel according to the “pin-on-disk” scheme. It was established that the main structural elements of the sintered composites are determined by the nature of interaction of solid silumin particles and liquid tin. This is due to the fact that tin not only spreads over the volume of the sintered compact, but also activates the processes of recrystallization of aluminum powders due to dissolution of their atoms in the liquid phase with subsequent deposition on the large particles surface. The dissolution weakens the skeleton of aluminum powders, and they are able to regroup into a denser configuration under the action of capillary forces. It was found that silicon inhibits the shrinkage of the compacts during the liquid-phase sintering. Therefore, to improve the mechanical properties of the sintered composites, they should be subjected to additional densification in order to eliminate their residual porosity, which simultaneously contributes to a significant increase in their wear resistance under dry friction. The study of the wear features of the (Al – хSi) – 40Sn composites was carried out. It was found that silicon particles located in the tin interlayers hinder the relative shear of the neighboring matrix grains and increase the thickness of the surface layer involved in deformation by friction forces. This fact has a favorable effect on the wear resistance of the investigated sintered composites under dry friction process. The (Al – 12Si) – 40Sn composite sample with the eutectic matrix has the highest wear resistance.

Study on W/(TiN)Ta composite and its application in shape charge liner

In the present work, W/Ta and W/TiN/Ta laminated composites have been prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and compared with W/W multilayer through three point bending and tensile tests. The results show that Ta has good reinforcing and toughening effect on W. The tensile strength of W/Ta is 371 MPa, and the three-point bending strength is 774 MPa, which are much higher than that of W/W. To further improve the mechanical property pf W/Ta, W-Ta laminated composites with TiN interlayer (W/TiN/Ta) has been studied. W/TiN/Ta have much higher strength than that of W/Ta due to intrinsic high strength of TiN and the increased layered interfaces, while worse ductility. Then, the feasibility of applying W/Ta laminated composite to the liner was tested by explosion overload test. The test results have been analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Explosion overload test results reveal that W/Ta laminated composite has the potential to be applied in shaped charge liner.

Fabrication of Multilayer Si/TiN/Sb NR Arrays as Anode for 3D Si‐Based Lithium/Sodium Ion Microbatteries

AbstractMicro/nano lab‐on‐chip power systems with poor energy storage/conversion ability are one of the major obstacles that circumvent the further practical applications of the micro/nano smart devices. In this work, the multilayer Si/TiN/Sb nanorod (NR) arrays composites anodes are successfully fabricated and impressively display improved electrochemical properties in 3D Si‐based lithium/sodium ion microbatteries (L/SIMBs). Both the 3D Si configuration and the efficient TiN interlayer are together responsible for the obtained enhanced cyclability of the Sb nanoelectrode. Moreover, the Li/Na ion storage behaviors are also experimentally investigated from the postmorphology characterizations and further evidences the structure stability of the whole Si/TiN/Sb NRs anodes during the repeated Li/Na ions inserting/de‐inserting process. These multilayer Si/Ti/Sb NR arrays composites should be a promising anode for the 3D Si‐based L/SIMBs.