The present disclosure involves a method of fabricating a semiconductor device in a semiconductor technology node that is 5-nanometer or smaller. An opening is formed that extends through a plurality of layers over a substrate. A barrier layer is formed on surfaces of the opening. A liner layer is formed over the barrier layer in the opening. The barrier layer and the liner layer have different material compositions. The opening is filled with a non-copper metal material. The non-copper material is formed over the liner layer. In some embodiments, the non-copper metal material includes cobalt.