Metal anion–alkyl ammonium complexes as direct write precursors to produce nanopatterns of metals, nitrides, oxides, sulfides, and alloys

Abstract

The study explores the possibility of using metal anions complexed with tetraoctylammonium bromide (ToABr) as single-source direct write precursors in e-beam and soft lithography processes to obtain micro- and nanoscale patterns of various metals, i.e., Au, Pd, Pt, Ag, Pb and Cu, as well as of their alloys (AuCu), oxides (Co₃O₄, ZnO), nitrides (CoN, InN, GaN), and sulfides (Ag₂S). The extraction efficiency of ToABr for different metal anions is found to be varied (40–90%), but the obtained precursors are easily processable as they have reasonable solubility in common solvents and are obtainable as smooth films, both being important for high-resolution patterning. The e-resist action of the precursors originates from the extreme e-beam sensitivity of the hydrocarbon chain present in ToABr, while direct micromolding has been possible due to easy flow of the precursor solutions in capillaries. The interaction of the anion and ToABr being mainly electrostatic enables easy removal of the hydrocarbon from patterned regions by thermolysis on a hot plate in the ambient or in controlled atmosphere to form the desired product. This method can be easily generalized.