Effect of electrolyte temperature on the cathodic deposition of Ge nanowires on in and Sn particles in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The results of studying the growth of filamentous Ge structures in aqueous electrolytes at various temperatures using In and Sn nanoparticle arrays as nucleation sites are given. The temperature of Ge cathodic deposition process from aqueous solutions has a significant effect on the layer structure deposited onto the surface. In the presence of metal particles in the molten state, filamentous Ge structures grow due to the cathodic reduction of Ge-containing ions on the electrode surface, followed by dissolution and crystallization in the melt at the substrate interface. The results obtained show the crucial role of liquid metal particles during the electrochemical formation of germanium nanowires.