Impact of sample storage type on adventitious carbon and native oxide growth : X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Linköpings universitet, Tunnfilmsfysik Linköpings universitet, Tekniska fakulteten Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd 2022

The type and degree of contamination on surfaces intended for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies is considered decisive for meaningful and reliable analysis as in many cases in-situ cleaning methods are not applicable or otherwise undesired. We report on the effects of sample storage environment on predominantly carbon-and oxygen-containing species accumulating on the surfaces of fourteen types of thin film samples spanning group IVB-VIB transition metals (TMs), TM nitrides, and TM diborides. All specimens were deposited by magnetron sputtering and stored for six months in different common sample storage environments such as openly on a shelf in the office or XPS lab, or within a polypropylene wafer carrier, polystyrene box, cellulose/polyester wipers or sealed polyethylene bag. Self-consistent modelling of C 1s, O 1s, B 1s, N 1s, and metal core level spectra allowed to identify the types and quantities of surface contaminants, metal oxidation states, and thicknesses of native oxides, as well as to address influence from storage ambient type and volume, direct sample contact to other surfaces, or material release from containers. The results reveal significant differences between the various storage types and, hence, provide guidance for all sorts of studies including even those that employ Ar+ ion etch prior to analyses, as also in such cases the amount and type of surface contaminants may impact the outcome.
Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council VR [2018-03957]; Swedish Energy Agency [51201-1]; Carl Tryggers Stiftelse [CTS 20:150, CTS 15:219, CTS 14:431]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation Scholar [KAW2016.0358, KAW2019.0290]

XPS; Photoelectron spectroscopy; Native oxide; Adventitious carbon; Sample storage; Inorganic Chemistry; Oorganisk kemi; Article in journal; info:eu-repo/semantics/article; text

10.1016.j.vacuum.2022.111463

Open access content. Open access content
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

application/pdf
English

UPE oai:DiVA.org:liu-189758
0000-0002-4898-5115
0000-0002-2837-3656
doi:10.1016/j.vacuum.2022.111463
ISI:000863305400002
1372241344

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