A novel method for preparing carbon-coated germanium nanowires

摘要

Single-crystalline Ge nanowires covered with amorphous carbon were synthesized by using GeO2 as the Ge source and reacting it with a mixed gas Of C2H4 and NH3 at 750 degrees C. Electron microscopy studies show that the nanowires have a diameter distribution ranging from 15 to 50 nm and a length up to tens of micrometres. The growth mechanism of the Ge nanowires could be attributed to the well known vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) catalytic growth process promoted by nanoparticles attached at the end of the nanowires.