An article for high temperature service is presented herein. One embodiment is an article including a substrate having a silicon-bearing ceramic matrix composite; and a layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the layer includes silicon and a dopant, the dopant including aluminum. In another embodiment, the article includes a ceramic matrix composite substrate, wherein the composite includes a silicon-bearing ceramic and a dopant, the dopant including aluminum; a bond coat disposed over the substrate, where the bond coat includes elemental silicon, a silicon alloy, a silicide, or combinations including any of the aforementioned; and a coating disposed over the bond coat, the coating including a silicate (such as an aluminosilicate or rare earth silicate), yttria-stabilized zirconia, or a combination including any of the aforementioned.