The present invention is directed to a protective film composition for wafer dicing, including at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone, at least one component selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble resin and an alcoholic monomer, and a solvent, such as water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble resin and an alcoholic monomer may be contained at a weight ratio of 1:9~7:3, and the solvent may be contained in a range in which total viscosity of the composition is set to 10~100 cP.
The protective film composition for wafer dicing may further include 10~80 ppm of a water-soluble surfactant based on the total weight of the resin component of the composition.
Examples of a resin component used for a general protective film composition for wafer dicing include resin such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cellulose, and water-soluble resin, such as polyacrylic acid (PAA) and so on. Among them, the water-soluble resin having a hydroxyl group or a carboxylic group is problematic in that it is weak to heat or may produce a crosslinked by-product upon pyrolysis. However, as the water-soluble resin used in the composition according to the present invention, polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone have superior thermal stability and high water solubility.
It is preferable that the protective film composition according to the present invention comprises polyethyloxazoline or a mixture of polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone as at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Known as an example of polyethyloxazoline is poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) under the trade name of Aquazol, having high water solubility and superior thermal solubility. When weight reduction is measured using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at a heating rate of 10 ℃/min in a nitrogen atmosphere, the weight reduction begins to occur at 350℃ or higher and drastic decomposition occurs at about 380℃. However, a crosslinked by-product is not produced in the course of decomposition, and thus defects insoluble in water are not formed.
Also, polyvinylpyrrolidone has high water solubility and superior thermal stability. When weight reduction is measured using a TGA at a heating rate of 10 ℃/min in a nitrogen atmosphere, the weight reduction begins to occur at about 300℃ and drastic decomposition takes place at about 400℃. However, a crosslinked by-product is not produced in the course of decomposition, and thus defects insoluble in water are not formed.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, at least one component selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble resin and the alcoholic monomer is used to enhance adhesiveness of the protective film to a substrate and adjust hardness of the protective film. Examples of the water-soluble resin include polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), cellulose, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and so on, and examples of the alcoholic monomer include monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, cyclohexane diol, cyclohexane dimethanol, pentaerythritol, trimethylpropanol and so on.
As such, polyvinyl alcohol, which is the water-soluble resin, is highly soluble in water and has excellent adhesive force to a wafer. Thus, when polyvinyl alcohol is used, adhesive force of the protective film composition for wafer dicing may be enhanced, thereby preventing the delamination of the protective film upon irradiation of a laser. Furthermore, as for polyvinyl alcohol, water solubility and storage stability after dissolution thereof vary depending on the degree of saponification and molecular weight thereof. In the case where the degree of saponification of polyvinyl alcohol is 100%, polyvinyl alcohol has poor water solubility and gels after being dissolved in water, and thus its viscosity increases over time. Hence, polyvinyl alcohol having the degree of saponification of 87~90% may be used. Because polyvinyl alcohol having the degree of saponification of 87~90% does not change in viscosity over time, it may be used as a solution agent. Furthermore, solubility and stability over time of polyvinyl alcohol vary depending on the molecular weight thereof. When polyvinyl alcohol has the degree of polymerization of 500~2,000, solubility and storage stability are superior. Thus, in the present invention, the use of polyvinyl alcohol having the degree of saponification of 87~90% and the degree of polymerization of 500~2,000 is preferable.
However, because polyvinyl alcohol has poor thermal stability, it is used in the form of a mixture with polyethyloxazoline and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone, having superior thermal stability, within a range that does not produce a crosslinked by-product which is insoluble in water, at 250℃ or lower.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethyloxazoline and polyvinylpyrrolidone and at least one component selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble resin and the alcoholic monomer may be used at a weight ratio of 1:9~7:3, and preferably 3:7~7:3. When these components are used in the above range, thermal stability, adhesiveness to a wafer, and hardness of a protective film are manifested as desired.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, the water-soluble surfactant plays a role in enhancing applicability of the composition and increasing storage stability.
The protective film generally used in the laser wafer dicing process may have a thickness of 1 ㎛ or more. If the applicability of the protective film composition is poor, there occurs a difference in film thickness between the center of the wafer and the edge thereof, and thus process margin may be reduced. Thus, in the protective film composition according to the present invention, the water-soluble surfactant is added, thereby enhancing the applicability of the composition. Examples of the water-soluble surfactant include polyether modified alkylsiloxane, polyether modified polyalkylsiloxane, polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane having a hydroxyl group, polyether-polyester modified polyalkylsiloxane having a hydroxyl group, a non-ionic polyacrylic water-soluble surfactant, alcohol alkoxylate, and a polymeric fluorine-based water-soluble surfactant, which may be used alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.
Also, the present inventors have found the fact that the water-soluble surfactant plays a role as a dispersant in the protective film composition such that the protective film composition does not gel over time. Hence, the protective film composition according to the present invention has enhanced applicability and high storage stability, thanks to the use of the water-soluble surfactant.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, the water-soluble surfactant may be used in an amount of 10~80 ppm based on the total weight of the resin component of the composition. When the water-soluble surfactant is used in the above range, the properties of the protective film composition including applicability and storage stability become good, and also, thermal stability, adhesiveness to a wafer, and hardness of a protective film may be improved.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, the solvent is water. Alternatively, in order to increase the film thickness of the protective film composition or enhance applicability thereof, the solvent may be used in the form of a mixture of water and an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent include isopropylalcohol, propyleneglycolmonomethylether acetate (PGMEA), propyleneglycolmonomethylether (PGME), and an alkyl carbonate such as butylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, glycerine carbonate or ethylene carbonate. These organic solvents may be used alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.
As such, propyleneglycolmonomethylether has high miscibility in water enough to dissolve even at any mixing ratio with water. However, propyleneglycolmonomethylether acetate has solubility of 16 g or less per 100 g of water and thus must be used in the above range.
In particular, in the case where the alkyl carbonate such as butylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, glycerine carbonate or ethylene carbonate, having high polarity, is used as organic solvents, storage stability and applicability may be favorably improved.
Ethylene carbonate is a solid at room temperature but dissolves well in water, and glycerine carbonate may be dissolved in water at any mixing ratio. However, butylene carbonate and propylene carbonate have water solubilities of 10% and 25% or less respectively at room temperature, and thus must be used in the above ranges.
In the protective film composition according to the present invention, the solvent is added so that the total viscosity of the composition is set to 10~100 cP. If the viscosity of the protective film composition falls within the above range, superior applicability may be exhibited, and adhesiveness to a wafer and hardness of a protective film may be obtained as desired.
The protective film composition according to the present invention may further include at least one additive known in the art in order to improve performance.
Especially, the protective film composition for wafer dicing may further include a defoaming agent for inhibiting foaming of a solution agent, and examples of the defoaming agent include polysiloxane, polyalkylsiloxane, a fluorosilicone polymer and so on.
In addition, the present invention is directed to a semiconductor device manufactured using the protective film composition for wafer dicing. The semiconductor device according to the present invention can be completely protected by the protective film even when the wafer is diced using a laser or a blade, and can be manufactured to have no defects thanks to ease of washing of the protective film.
A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained through the following examples which are set forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.
EXAMPLES 1~10 and COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1~6: Preparation of Protective Film Composition for Wafer Dicing
EXAMPLE 1
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 5 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, degree of polymerization (DP): 50) and 5 g of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (DP: 500, degree of saponification (DS): 87~90%) were added, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 2
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 3 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 50), 3 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (DP: 1200) and 4 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) were added, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 3
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 3 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 50), 3 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (DP: 1200) and 4 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) were added, and a mixture of water and propyleneglycolmonomethylether (PGME) at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 4
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 7 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 500) and 3 g of PVA (DP: 500, DS: 87~90%) were added, and a mixture of water and PGME at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 5
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 3 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 500) and 7 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) were added, and a mixture of water and PGME at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 6
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 5 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 50) and 5 g of PVA (DP: 500, DS: 87~90%) were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) and a defoaming agent (BYK-025, available from BYK) were respectively added in an amount of 30 ppm based on the total weight of polyethyloxazoline and PVA, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 7
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 3 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 50), 3 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (DP: 1200) and 4 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) and a defoaming agent (BYK-025, available from BYK) were respectively added in an amount of 30 ppm based on the total weight of polyethyloxazoline, polyvinylpyrrolidone and PVA, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 8
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 2 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 50), 2 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (DP: 1200) and 6 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) and a defoaming agent (BYK-025, available from BYK) were respectively added in an amount of 30 ppm based on the total weight of polyethyloxazoline, polyvinylpyrrolidone and PVA, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 9
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 7 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 500) and 3 g of PVA (DP: 500, DS: 87~90%) were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) and a defoaming agent (BYK-025, available from BYK) were respectively added in an amount of 30 ppm based on the total weight of polyethyloxazoline and PVA, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
EXAMPLE 10
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 3 g of polyethyloxazoline (Aquazol, DP: 500), 7 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%), 1 g of triethyleneglycol (TEG) and 0.3 g of butylene carbonate were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) and a defoaming agent (BYK-025, available from BYK) were respectively added in an amount of 30 ppm based on the total weight of polyethyloxazoline and PVA, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 10 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) was added, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 9 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) and 1 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) (weight average molecular weight: 700) were added, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 9 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) and 1 g of pentaerythritol were added, and a mixture of water and PGME at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 8 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%), 1 g of PEG (weight average molecular weight: 700) and 1 g of pentaerythritol were added, and a mixture of water and PGME at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 9 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) and 1 g of PEG (weight average molecular weight: 700) were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) was added in an amount of 300 ppm based on the total weight of PVA and PEG, and water was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6
Into a mixer equipped with a stirrer, 9 g of PVA (DP: 1700, DS: 87~90%) and 1 g of pentaerythritol were added, a surfactant (BYK-337, available from BYK) was added in an amount of 300 ppm based on the total weight of PVA and pentaerythritol, and a mixture of water and PGME at a ratio of 70/30 (w/w) was added as a solvent so that the viscosity of the solution is 60 cP, after which stirring was performed at room temperature and 500 rpm for 1 hour, thus preparing a protective film composition for wafer dicing.
TEST EXAMPLE 1: Measurement of Strip Rate
A sample of each of the examples and comparative examples was applied through spin coating on a silicon oxide substrate having a size of 4 inches while adjusting the spin rate (rpm) such that a resulting film had a thickness of 1 ㎛ after being dried at 110℃ for 15 min, thus forming a protective film. The rate of stripping the protective film in water was measured using a DRM. The measurement unit is represented by the film thickness removed per second. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
◎: 1000 nm/s or more
○: between 800 and less than 1000 nm/s
△: between 500 and less than 800 nm/s
×: less than 500 nm/s
TEST EXAMPLE 2: Measurement of Applicability
A sample of each of the examples and comparative examples was applied through spin coating on a silicon oxide substrate having a size of 4 inches while adjusting the spin rate (rpm) such that a resulting film had a thickness of 1 ㎛ after being dried at 110℃ for 15 min, thus forming a protective film. Thereafter, film thickness was measured at the center of the wafer and locations spaced apart from the center of the wafer at a distance of 2 cm and 4 cm in all directions, and the standard deviation thereof was determined, thus evaluating the applicability of the protective film composition. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
◎: 1% or less
○: exceeding 1% but not more than 2%
△: exceeding 2% but not more than 4%
×: exceeding 4%
TEST EXAMPLE 3; Measurement of Pencil Hardness
A sample of each of the examples and comparative examples was applied through spin coating on a silicon oxide substrate having a size of 4 inches while adjusting the spin rate (rpm) such that a resulting film had a thickness of 1 ㎛ after being dried at 110℃ for 15 min, thus forming a protective film. Thereafter, the hardness of the protective film to pencil was measured according to JID D 0202. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
TEST EXAMPLE 4: Measurement of Adhesiveness
A sample of each of the examples and comparative examples was applied through spin coating on a silicon oxide substrate having a size of 4 inches while adjusting the spin rate (rpm) such that a resulting film had a thickness of 1 ㎛ after being dried at 110℃ for 15 min, thus forming a protective film. Thereafter, a cross-cut test (taping test) was performed according to JIS K5600-5-6. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
◎: number of detached lattices (0)
○: number of detached lattices (between 1 and less than 5)
△: number of detached lattices (between 5 and less than 10)
×: number of detached lattices (10 or more)
TEST EXAMPLE 5: Measurement of Thermal Stability
A sample of each of the examples and comparative examples was applied through spin coating on a silicon oxide substrate having a size of 4 inches while adjusting the spin rate (rpm) such that a resulting film had a thickness of 1 ㎛ after being dried at 110℃ for 15 min, thus forming a protective film. Thereafter, the protective film was allowed to stand in a hot air oven at 250℃ for 10 min, and then whether it was washed off with water was checked, in order to confirm whether a pyrolyzed crosslinked material insoluble in water was produced by heat. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
◎: completely stripped state
○: presence of fine particles
△: presence of a large amount of non-stripped portions
×: non-stripped state
TEST EXAMPLE 6: Measurement of Storage Stability
While the samples of the examples and comparative examples were stored at room temperature, the viscosity and applicability were measured every week, thereby checking whether the properties changed over time. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.
◎: stable for 36 weeks or longer
○: stable for 18 weeks or longer
△: stable for 8 weeks or longer
×: stable for less than 8 weeks