A1 Journal article (refereed)
Evolution of the microstructure of sputter deposited TaAlON thin films with increasing oxygen partial pressure (2021)
Schalk, N., Saringer, C., Fian, A., Terziyska, V. L., Julin, J., & Tkadletz, M. (2021). Evolution of the microstructure of sputter deposited TaAlON thin films with increasing oxygen partial pressure. Surface and Coatings Technology, 418, Article 127237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127237
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Schalk, Nina; Saringer, Christian; Fian, Alexander; Terziyska, Velislava L.; Julin, Jaakko; Tkadletz, Michael
Journal or series: Surface and Coatings Technology
ISSN: 0257-8972
eISSN: 1879-3347
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 418
Article number: 127237
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127237
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75411
Abstract
Recently, quaternary oxynitrides of transition metals and aluminum have attracted increasing interest due to their tunable properties. Within the present work, a series of TaAl(O)N films was sputter deposited using constant nitrogen and varying oxygen partial pressures. The films were grown from single element Ta and Al targets. The deposition parameters were adjusted to obtain a Ta/Al atomic ratio of ~50/50 for the oxygen-free film and were held constant for the following depositions, with the exception of the increasing oxygen partial pressure and compensatory decreasing argon partial pressure. Elastic recoil detection analysis revealed oxygen contents of up to ~26 at.%, while the nitrogen content decreased from ~47 at.% in the oxygen-free film to ~35 at.% in the film with the highest oxygen content, resulting in a significant decrease of the metal/non-metal ratio with increasing oxygen partial pressure. The micro- and bonding structures of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. All films exhibited a dominating face-centered cubic TaN-based structure with indications for additional nanocrystalline and amorphous phase fractions in the oxygen containing films. In addition, the mechanical properties were evaluated by nanoindentation, yielding a decreasing hardness and elastic modulus with increasing oxygen content.
Keywords: microstructures; thin films; surfacing (activity)
Free keywords: oxynitrides; TaAlON; microstructure; TEM; XPS
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 2