Patent ID: 8598018
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: C23C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an electrode having reduced water decomposition on a surface thereof, the method comprising: depositing a conductive layer on a substrate; partially oxidizing said conductive layer by an oxygen plasma process to convert a portion thereof to an oxide layer thereby forming said electrode having reduced corrosion, wherein the oxygen plasma process uses a working pressure of 150 mtorr, an oxygen flow rate of 100 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm), and a power of 40-200 watts (W); contacting the oxide layer with a solution of an organic surface active compound to form a protective layer on the oxide layer to reduce corrosion and water decomposition; wherein said oxide layer is uniformly formed on the substrate and free of surface defects and thickness of said oxide layer is from about 0.09 nm to about 10 nm and ranges therebetween, controllable with 0.2 nm precision; immersing said electrode into a solution containing a hydroxyl-functional compound; and applying a voltage to said conductive layer.