Formation of Germanium-Carbon Core-Shell Nanowires by Laser Vaporization in High-Pressure Ar Gas without the Addition of Other Metal Catalysts

Abstract

Germanium (Ge)-carbon (C) core-shell nanowires (NWs), 15 - 80 nm thick and <1 µm long, were grown using continuous-wave laser vaporization of Ge-graphite composite targets in high pressure (0.1 - 0.9 MPa) Ar gas. The NW core was crystalline Ge and the shell was amorphous C. The fraction of the NWs in deposits was changed significantly by the Ge content in the targets and had a maximum at the Ge content of 40 atomic %. With increasing Ar pressure, thicker NWs were grown. A strong correlation was evident between the two diameters of the NW and nanoparticle (NP) attached with the tip of the NW. The growth of the NWs can be explained by the formation of Ge-C liquid-like molten NPs having a specific range of size and composition and precipitation of Ge and C followed by phase separation.