In-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy study of Al-amorphous SiO2 layer-SiC interface

Esmaeil Adabifiroozjaei, Ebad Rastkerdar, Yoshihiro Nemoto, Yoshiko Nakayama, Yuki Nishimiya, Marco Fronzi, Yin Yao, Minh Triet Nguyen, Leopoldo Molina-Luna, Tohru S. Suzuki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Here, we present a comprehensive study on atomic-scale in-situ biasing/heating scanning transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) of Al-amorphous SiO2–SiC interface. The investigation includes electrical, chemical, and structural analysis of the interface at different temperatures (25–600 °C). The results show that at ~ 500 °C the electrical (three-orders of magnitude resistivity drop), chemical (dissolution of SiO2 amorphous layer), and microstructural features (e.g. formation of Al2O3, Si and Al4C3) of the interface start to change. According to the results, amorphous SiO2 dissolves in Al, leading to formation of α-Al2O3 and Si within the Al. In contrast, elemental interdiffusion (Al3+ ⇄ Si4+) between Al and SiC occurs resulting in formation of Al4C3. From the results, we can infer that reaction mechanism between Al and crystalline SiC is different with that between Al and SiO2 amorphous phase. It is believed that structural similarities between SiC and Al4C3 play an important role in paving the way for elemental interdiffusion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2456-2468
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Materials Science
Volume58
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023 Feb

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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