| abstract |
The invention provides methods of polishing a noble metal-containing substrate with one of two chemical-mechanical polishing compositions. The first chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprises (a) an abrasive comprising α-alumina, (b) about 0.05 to about 50 mmol/kg of ions of calcium, strontium, barium, or mixtures thereof, and (c) a liquid carrier comprising water. The second chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprises (a) an abrasive selected from the group consisting of α-alumina, γ-alumina, δ-alumina, θ-alumina, diamond, boron carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, titanium nitride, and mixtures thereof, (b) about 0.05 to about 3.5 mmol/kg of ions of calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium, zinc, or mixtures thereof, and (c) a liquid carrier comprising water. |