Growth of germanium nanowires from bis(acetylacetonato) dichloro germanium

Germanium nanowires were grown by chemical vapor deposition from a bis(acetylacetonato) dichloro germanium precursor. The advantages of this precursor are that it is a solid and sublimes at a relatively low temperature to produce pure germanium nanowires. The nanowires were grown on different substrates such as silicon and quartz and their diameters vary from 20 to 200 nm. X-ray diffraction, Raman and transmission electron microscopy analyses show that the nanowires are crystalline and exhibit germanium crystal structure.

► We have synthesized a novel precursor for the growth of high quality germanium nanowires. ► Bis(acetylacetonato) dichloro germanium is used as the precursor for the growth of Ge nanowires. ► This precursor is solid and stable at room temperature. ► It can be used to grow germanium at fairly low temperatures (∼400 °C) and on a variety of substrates.