Synthesis and characterization of nano/micro-structured crystalline germanium dioxide with novel morphology

Nano/micro-structured germanium oxide (GeO2) was prepared using GeCl4 and KOH by a simple solution method in alkalic alcoholic solution. Different morphologies of GeO2 were obtained by changing the reaction conditions. The effects of the reaction time, the concentration of the reactants, the reaction temperature and the dispersant upon the morphology of the deposited GeO2 have been investigated. The products were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Novel cross-like structures were obtained by using n-butylamine as the dispersant. The formation of the cross-like structures has been discussed and a solution-liquid-solid (SLS) mechanism was proposed.