The structural and electronic properties of platinum-germanide on Ge(111)

► We report a scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy study of the formation of platinum-germanide phases on Ge(111). ► Below 1073 K, disordered germanide islands are found. ► Above 1073 K a new germanide phase nucleates at the steps. ► The electronic structure of the high temperature germanide phase exhibits a peculiar structure.