The present invention provides a method for forming a substantially carbon- and oxygen-free conductive layer, wherein the layer can contain a metal and/or a metalloid material. According to the present invention, a substantially carbon- and oxygen-free conductive layer is formed in an oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of an organometallic catalyst using, for example, a chemical vapor deposition process. Such layers are particularly advantageous for use in memory devices, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices.