The semiconductor industry faces physical limitations due to its top-down manufacturing processes. High cost of EUV equipment, time loss during tens or hundreds of photolithography steps, overlay, etch process errors, and contamination issues owing to photolithography still exist and may become more serious with the miniaturization of semiconductor devices. Therefore, a bottom-up approach is required to overcome these issues. The key technology that enables bottom-up semiconductor manufacturing is area-selective atomic layer deposition (ASALD). Here, various ASALD processes for elemental metals, such as Co, Cu, Ir, Ni, Pt, and Ru, are reviewed. Surface treatments using chemical species, such as self-assembled monolayers and small-molecule inhibitors, to control the hydrophilicity of the surface have been introduced. Finally, we discuss the future applications of metal ASALD processes.

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• Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of Co Thin Films Using Co(EtCp)2 Precursor
  Sujeong Kim, Yong Tae Kim, Jaeyeong Heo
  Korean Journal of Materials Research.2024; 34(3): 163.     CrossRef

Thermoelectric materials and devices are energy-harvesting devices that can effectively recycle waste heat into electricity. Thermoelectric power generation is widely used in factories, engines, and even in human bodies as they continuously generate heat. However, thermoelectric elements exhibit poor performance and low energy efficiency; research is being conducted to find new materials or improve the thermoelectric performance of existing materials, that is, by ensuring a high figure-of-merit (zT) value. For increasing zT, higher σ (electrical conductivity) and S (Seebeck coefficient) and a lower к (thermal conductivity) are required. Here, interface engineering by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to increase zT of n-type BiTeSe (BTS) thermoelectric powders. ALD of the BTS powders is performed in a rotary-type ALD reactor, and 40 to 100 ALD cycles of ZnO thin films are conducted at 100°C. The physical and chemical properties and thermoelectric performance of the ALD-coated BTS powders and pellets are characterized. It is revealed that electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity are decoupled, and thus, zT of ALD-coated BTS pellets is increased by more than 60% compared to that of the uncoated BTS pellets. This result can be utilized in a novel method for improving the thermoelectric efficiency in materials processing.

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• Investigation of the Thermal-to-Electrical Properties of Transition Metal-Sb Alloys Synthesized for Thermoelectric Applications
  Jong Min Park, Seungki Jo, Sooho Jung, Jinhee Bae, Linh Ba Vu, Kwi-Il Park, Kyung Tae Kim
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2024; 31(3): 236.     CrossRef
• Enhancing Electrical Properties of N-type Bismuth Telluride Alloys through Graphene Oxide Incorporation in Extrusion 3D Printing
  Jinhee Bae, Seungki Jo, Kyung Tae Kim
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2023; 30(4): 318.     CrossRef

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising technology for the uniform deposition of thin films. ALD is based on a self-limiting mechanism, which can effectively deposit thin films on the surfaces of powders of various sizes. Numerous studies are underway to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by forming core-shell structures in which various materials are deposited on the powder surface using ALD. Thermoelectric materials are especially relevant as clean energy storage materials due to their ability to interconvert between thermal and electrical energy by the Seebeck and Peltier effects. Herein, we introduce a surface and interface modification strategy based on ALD to control the performance of thermoelectric materials. We also discuss the properties of the interface between various deposition materials and thermoelectric materials.

The SnSe single crystal shows an outstanding figure of merit (ZT) of 2.6 at 973 K; thus, it is considered to be a promising thermoelectric material. However, the mass production of SnSe single crystals is difficult, and their mechanical properties are poor. Alternatively, we can use polycrystalline SnSe powder, which has better mechanical properties. In this study, surface modification by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is chosen to increase the ZT value of SnSe polycrystalline powder. SnSe powder is ground by a ball mill. An ALD coating process using a rotary-type reactor is adopted. ZnO thin films are grown by 100 ALD cycles using diethylzinc and H₂O as precursors at 100°C. ALD is performed at rotation speeds of 30, 40, 50, and 60 rpm to examine the effects of rotation speed on the thin film characteristics. The physical and chemical properties of ALD-coated SnSe powders are characterized by scanning and tunneling electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results reveal that a smooth oxygenrich ZnO layer is grown on SnSe at a rotation speed of 30 rpm. This result can be applied for the uniform coating of a ZnO layer on various powder materials.

It is necessary to fabricate uniformly dispersed nanoscale catalyst materials with high activity and long-term stability for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with excellent electrochemical characteristics of the oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen oxidation reaction. Platinum is known as the best noble metal catalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells because of its excellent catalytic activity. However, given that Pt is expensive, considerable efforts have been made to reduce the amount of Pt loading for both anode and cathode catalysts. Meanwhile, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method shows excellent uniformity and precise particle size controllability over the three-dimensional structure. The research progress on noble metal ALD, such as Pt, Ru, Pd, and various metal alloys, is presented in this review. ALD technology enables the development of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with excellent reactivity and durability.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is widely used as a tool for the formation of near-atomically flat and uniform thin films in the semiconductor and display industries because of its excellent uniformity. Nowadays, ALD is being extensively used in diverse fields, such as energy and biology. By controlling the reactivity of the surface, either homogeneous or inhomogeneous coating on the shell of nanostructured powder can be accomplished by the ALD process. However, the ALD process on the powder largely depends on the displacement of powder in the reactor. Therefore, the technology for the fluidization of the powder is very important to redistribute its position during the ALD process. Herein, an overview of the three types of ALD reactors to agitate or fluidize the powder to improve the conformality of coating is presented. The principle of fluidization its advantages, examples, and limitations are addressed.

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• High-performance of ZnO/TiO2 heterostructured thin-film photocatalyst fabricated via atomic layer deposition
  Ji Young Park, Jeong Hwan Han, Byung Joon Choi
  Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• TiO2 Thin Film Coating on an Nb-Si–Based Superalloy via Atomic Layer Deposition
  Ji Young Park, Su Min Eun, Jongmin Byun, Byung Joon Choi
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2024; 31(3): 255.     CrossRef
• Atomic layer deposition of ZnO layers on Bi2Te3 powders: Comparison of gas fluidization and rotary reactors
  Myeong Jun Jung, Myeongjun Ji, Jeong Hwan Han, Young-In Lee, Sung-Tag Oh, Min Hwan Lee, Byung Joon Choi
  Ceramics International.2022; 48(24): 36773.     CrossRef

The design and fabrication of photoelectrochemical (PEC) electrodes for efficient water splitting is important for developing a sustainable hydrogen evolution system. Among various development approaches for PEC electrodes, the chemical vapor deposition method of atomic layer deposition (ALD), based on self-limiting surface reactions, has attracted attention because it allows precise thickness and composition control as well as conformal coating on various substrates. In this study, recent research progress in improving PEC performance using ALD coating methods is discussed, including 3D and heterojunction-structured PEC electrodes, ALD coatings of noble metals, and the use of sulfide materials as co-catalysts. The enhanced long-term stability of PEC cells by ALD-deposited protecting layers is also reviewed. ALD provides multiple routes to develop improved hydrogen evolution PEC cells.

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• Improved Interface and Electrical Properties by Inserting an Ultrathin SiO2 Buffer Layer in the Al2O3/Si Heterojunction
  Doyeon Kim, Jae‐Young Choi, Sang Wook Ryu, Woo‐Byoung Kim
  Advanced Functional Materials.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) are widely used as active agents for electrodes in Li-ion secondary battery cells, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Nanoscale coatings on CNF electrodes can increase the output and lifespan of battery devices. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can control the coating thickness at the nanoscale regardless of the shape, suitable for coating CNFs. However, because the CNF surface comprises stable C–C bonds, initiating homogeneous nuclear formation is difficult because of the lack of initial nucleation sites. This study introduces uniform nucleation site formation on CNF surfaces to promote a uniform SnO₂ layer. We pretreat the CNF surface by introducing H₂O or Al₂O₃ (trimethylaluminum + H₂O) before the SnO₂ ALD process to form active sites on the CNF surface. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy both identify the SnO₂ layer morphology on the CNF. The Al₂O₃-pretreated sample shows a uniform SnO₂ layer, while island-type SnOx layers grow sparsely on the H₂Opretreated or untreated CNF.

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• Atomic layer deposition of ZnO layers on Bi2Te3 powders: Comparison of gas fluidization and rotary reactors
  Myeong Jun Jung, Myeongjun Ji, Jeong Hwan Han, Young-In Lee, Sung-Tag Oh, Min Hwan Lee, Byung Joon Choi
  Ceramics International.2022; 48(24): 36773.     CrossRef
• Effects of SnO2 layer coated on carbon nanofiber for the methanol oxidation reaction
  Dong Ha Kim, Dong-Yo Shin, Young-Geun Lee, Geon-Hyoung An, Jeong Hwan Han, Hyo-Jin Ahn, Byung Joon Choi
  Ceramics International.2018; 44(16): 19554.     CrossRef

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are rapidly improving in capacity and life cycle characteristics to meet the requirements of a wide range of applications, such as portable electronics, electric vehicles, and micro- or nanoelectromechanical systems. Recently, atomic layer deposition (ALD), one of the vapor deposition methods, has been explored to expand the capability of LIBs by producing near-atomically flat and uniform coatings on the shell of nanostructured electrodes and membranes for conventional LIBs. In this paper, we introduce various ALD coatings on the anode, cathode, and separator materials to protect them and improve their electrochemical and thermomechanical stability. In addition, we discuss the effects of ALD coatings on the three-dimensional structuring and conduction layer through activation of electrochemical reactions and facilitation of fluent charge collection.

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• Atomic Layer Deposition for Powder Coating
  Seok Choi, Jeong Hwan Han, Byung Joon Choi
  Journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2019; 26(3): 243.     CrossRef
• Formation of Uniform SnO2 Coating Layer on Carbon Nanofiber by Pretreatment in Atomic Layer Deposition
  Dong Ha Kim, Doh-Hyung Riu, Byung Joon Choi
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2018; 25(1): 43.     CrossRef