A CMP slurry composition and a method of polishing a metal layer are provided. In some embodiments, the CMP slurry composition includes about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a metal oxide, and about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a chelator. The chelator includes a thiol compound or a thiolether compound.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, a hydroxy acid, a polyol, at least one zwitterionic compound selected from the group consisting of an aminocarboxylic acid and an aminosulfonic acid, and a liquid medium, in which a zeta potential of the abrasive grains is positive, an isoelectric point of the aminocarboxylic acid is smaller than 7.0, and pKa of the aminosulfonic acid is larger than 0.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, a hydroxy acid, a polyol, at least one zwitterionic compound selected from the group consisting of an aminocarboxylic acid and an aminosulfonic acid, and a liquid medium, in which a zeta potential of the abrasive grains is positive, an isoelectric point of the aminocarboxylic acid is smaller than 7.0, and pKa of the aminosulfonic acid is larger than 0.

The present disclosure provides a method of graphene exfoliation and/or stabilization. Both graphene and silica are mixed in an organic solvent to form a liquid precursor, which is then directed through an orifice formed by a metal cylinder and a flat metal plate. The metal cylinder is pressed against the flat metal plate by a high pressure. The high shear between the metal cylinder and the flat metal plate breaks down the thick layers of graphene to thin layers, which are stably dispersed in the gel formed by the silica.

This disclosure relates to a polishing composition that includes at least one abrasive; at least one nitride removal rate reducing agent, an acid or a base; and water. The at least one nitride removal rate reduce agent can include a hydrophobic portion containing a C.sub.4 to C.sub.40 hydrocarbon group; and a hydrophilic portion containing at least one group selected from the group consisting of a sulfinite group, a sulfate group, a sulfonate group, a carboxylate group, a phosphate group, and a phosphonate group; in which the hydrophobic portion and the hydrophilic portion are separated by zero to ten alkylene oxide groups. The polishing composition can have a pH of from about 2 to about 6.5.

This disclosure relates to a polishing composition that includes at least one abrasive; at least one nitride removal rate reducing agent, an acid or a base; and water. The at least one nitride removal rate reduce agent can include a hydrophobic portion containing a C.sub.4 to C.sub.40 hydrocarbon group; and a hydrophilic portion containing at least one group selected from the group consisting of a sulfinite group, a sulfate group, a sulfonate group, a carboxylate group, a phosphate group, and a phosphonate group; in which the hydrophobic portion and the hydrophilic portion are separated by zero to ten alkylene oxide groups. The polishing composition can have a pH of from about 2 to about 6.5.

A polishing composition includes an abrasive; an optional pH adjuster; a barrier film removal rate enhancer; a TEOS removal rate inhibitor; a cobalt removal rate enhancer; an azole-containing corrosion inhibitor; and a cobalt corrosion inhibitor.

A polishing composition includes an abrasive; an optional pH adjuster; a barrier film removal rate enhancer; a TEOS removal rate inhibitor; a cobalt removal rate enhancer; an azole-containing corrosion inhibitor; and a cobalt corrosion inhibitor.

This disclosure relates to a polishing composition that includes at least one abrasive; at least one nitride removal rate reducing agent, an acid or a base; and water. The at least one nitride removal rate reduce agent can include a hydrophobic portion containing a C.sub.4 to C.sub.40 hydrocarbon group; and a hydrophilic portion containing at least one group selected from the group consisting of a sulfinite group, a sulfate group, a sulfonate group, a carboxylate group, a phosphate group, and a phosphonate group; in which the hydrophobic portion and the hydrophilic portion are separated by zero to ten alkylene oxide groups. The polishing composition can have a pH of from about 2 to about 6.5.

Polishing compositions comprising ceria coated silica particles and organic acids having one selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid group, phosphonic acid group, pyridine compound, and combinations thereof, with pH between 5 and 10 and electrical conductivity between 0.2 and 10 millisiemens per centimeter provide very high silicon oxide removal rates for advanced semiconductor device manufacturing.