The adsorption behaviors of citric acid on abrasive particles in Cu CMP slurry

Abstract

The interaction between Cu surface and abrasive particles in slurry solution was characterized. The adsorption behavior of the citrate ions was dependent on the pH of the slurry and the concentration of the citric acid. The adsorption of citrate ions generated a highly negative charge on the alumina surface and shifted isoelectric point (IEP) to lower pH values. The Cu removal rate of alumina slurry was higher than that of colloidal silica based slurry in the investigated pH ranges. Although lower friction forces of Cu were observed in alumina based slurry of pH 4, 6 and 8, a higher friction force was observed at pH 2. This high friction force was attributed to the positive zeta potential and greater adhesion force of particle. It indicates that the magnitudes of particle adhesions on Cu surfaces in slurries can be directly related to the fractional behavior during CMP process. © 2005 Materials Research Society.