# A Higher-Yielding Route for the Synthesis of Molecular Precursors to Thin Films of Gold by Atomic Layer Deposition

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a new, efficient method to create gold thin films using a specific type of chemical precursor.

## Contribution

A high-yielding synthesis route for [AuMe2(dtc)] complexes as potential precursors for gold thin films via atomic layer deposition.

## Key findings

- The volatility of the precursor decreases with increasing precursor mass, reducing suitability for thin film deposition.
- [AuMe2(Me2dtc)] is a better precursor than [AuMe2(Et2dtc)] due to higher volatility and lower residual mass.

## Abstract

A synthetically straightforward
and high-yielding route
to the
series of complexes [AuMe2(dtc)] (dtc = dithiocarbamate)
has been developed using dialkyl-, cyclic-dialkyl-, and diaryldithiocarbamate
ligands. These compounds were screened by thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA) to determine their viability as molecular precursors to thin
films of elemental gold by atomic layer deposition. TGA revealed that
the volatility of the precursor decreased as the mass of the precursor
increased, making the heavier molecules less suitable precursors.
However, [AuMe2(Me2dtc)], the lightest member
of the series, is potentially a better precursor than [AuMe2(Et2dtc)] due to its higher volatility and slightly lower
residual mass.