Ryu, Seung Ho Hwang, Inhong Jeon, Dahui Lee, Sung Kwang Chung, Taek-Mo Han, Jeong Hwan Chae, Sieun Baek, In-Hwan Kim, Seong Keun 2024-10-26T07:00:06Z 2024-10-26T07:00:06Z 2024-10-25 2025-01 0169-4332 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/150863 An appropriate synthesis technique for growing high-quality indium-free ZnSnOx (ZTO) films should be developed to achieve high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs) utilizing ZTO films. This study investigated the growth characteristics and electrical properties of ZTO thin films grown via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) using bis(1-dimethylamino-2-methyl-2-propoxide)Sn, diethylzinc, and O-2 plasma to optimize the composition and enhance the device performance. Deviations were observed in the growth per cycle when using PEALD for ZTO, compared with binary oxides. In the PEALD of the ZTO films, the introduction of the SnO2 sub-cycle enhanced the mass gain in the ZnO sub-cycle, whereas the mass gain in the SnO2 sub-cycle decreased with the addition of the ZnO sub-cycle. This was attributed to changes in the density of the functional groups on the reaction surface. Precise control over the composition was achieved, enabling the identification of the optimal Zn58Sn42Ox composition. Post-deposition annealing significantly improved the TFT performance, with devices showing enhanced mobility, positive shifts in the threshold voltage, and reduced subthreshold swing values. These improvements stemmed from reductions in oxygen vacancies and sub-gap defect states. These findings highlight the potential of PEALD-grown ZTO films for use in high-performance, cost-effective TFTs, facilitating their integration into modern semiconductor electronics. English Elsevier BV Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of indium-free ZnSnOx thin films for thin-film transistors Article 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.161320 1 Applied Surface Science, v.680 Applied Surface Science 680 Y scie scopus 001328285600001 2-s2.0-85204982448 Chemistry, Physical Materials Science, Coatings & Films Physics, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Chemistry Materials Science Physics Article ZINC-OXIDE PERFORMANCE GROWTH TEMPERATURE FABRICATION STABILITY PROPERTY DEFECTS Oxide semiconductor Atomic layer deposition Ternary oxides ZnSnO