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- Title
Thermodynamic Theory of Phase Separation in Nonstoichiometric Si Oxide Films Induced by High-Temperature Anneals.
- Authors
Sarikov, Andrey
- Abstract
High-temperature anneals of nonstoichiometric Si oxide (SiOx, x < 2) films induce phase separation in them, with the formation of composite structures containing amorphous or crystalline Si nanoinclusions embedded in the Si oxide matrix. In this paper, a thermodynamic theory of the phase separation process in SiOx films is proposed. The theory is based on the thermodynamic models addressing various aspects of this process which we previously developed. A review of these models is provided, including: (i) the derivation of the expressions for the Gibbs free energy of Si oxides and Si/Si oxide systems, (ii) the identification of the phase separation driving forces and counteracting mechanisms, and (iii) the crystallization behavior of amorphous Si nanoinclusions in the Si oxide matrix. A general description of the phase separation process is presented. A number of characteristic features of the nano-Si/Si oxide composites formed by SiOx decomposition, such as the local separation of Si nanoinclusions surrounded by the Si oxide matrix; the dependence of the amount of separated Si and the equilibrium matrix composition on the initial Si oxide stoichiometry and annealing temperature; and the correlation of the presence of amorphous and crystalline Si nanoinclusions with the presence of SiOx (x < 2) and SiO2 phase, respectively, in the Si oxide matrix, are explained.
- Subjects
NONSTOICHIOMETRIC compounds; HIGH temperatures; THERMODYNAMICS; NANOPARTICLES; PHASE separation
- Publication
Nanomanufacturing, 2023, Vol 3, Issue 3, p293
- ISSN
2673-687X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/nanomanufacturing3030019