The global production of semiconductors is growing rapidly and with it the demand for primary products, especially crystalline silicon. However, only a quarter of the raw silicon used in its energy-intensive production can be utilized. This leads to large quantities of waste. In the “Christian Doppler Laboratory for New Semiconductor Materials Based on Functionalized Hydridosilanes”, which opened today, a team led by laboratory head Michael Haas from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at Graz University of Technology is researching alternatives: Funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs, the researchers are exploring novel starting materials for the more energy-efficient production of semiconductors together with corporate partner Air Liquide Advanced Materials. The focus is on the processing of functionalized hydrosilanes. These are chemical compounds that are primarily made up of silicon and hydrogen atoms.
Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs supports research into new semiconductor materials
Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher, whose ministry contributes significantly to the public funding of the CD laboratories: “Semiconductors act as central key technologies for the location. In recent years, Austria has been able to establish itself as an important research and production country for microelectronics. This secures high-quality jobs and strengthens competitiveness. The CD laboratory opened today conducts research into premium semiconductors for the computer industry and promotes technological progress. Hydrosilanes in particular are regarded as a promising material for the future. Research into their chemical properties is creating the basis for new innovative semiconductor materials. This benefits everyone involved, especially Austria as a high-tech location.”
“The great advantage of hydrosilanes is the instability of these compounds above 300 °C or when exposed to UV light. The relatively weak bonds between the silicon atoms then break within minutes,” explains laboratory manager Michael Haas. “Liquid phase deposition can be used to obtain silicon that is suitable for solar cells or semiconductor applications.” Due to the low temperature, the energy consumption of this process is comparatively low. There is a considerable need for research into the use of functionalized hydrosilanes for the production of doped silicon films; these are silicon layers that are enriched with so-called “foreign atoms” in order to specifically influence the material properties.
In order to close this gap, the researchers will produce and characterize novel functionalized hydrosilanes and then process them into doped silicon layers using various deposition techniques. Finally, they will determine the relevant parameters of these new semiconductor materials, including their morphology, conductivity, absorption properties and element distribution. “Our goal is to develop new methods to enable the production of versatile silicon-based semiconductor materials in an energy- and resource-efficient way. This would benefit industry, end customers and the environment in equal measure,” says Michael Haas.
[Source: TU Graz News]
