Catalytic growth of germanium oxide nanowires, nanotubes, and germanium nanowires: Temperature-Dependent effect

One-dimensional GeO₂ and Ge nanostructures, including nanotubes, nanowires, and branched nanowires, were synthesized using Au as catalysts. White products of GeO₂ and brown products of Ge were fabricated at temperature regions of 500-600 and 300-400 °C, respectively. For the first time, we report the formation of single-crystalline GeO₂ nanotubes and branched nanowires. Detailed growth mechanisms of the nanowires, nanotubes, and branched nanowires are presented. Fabrication of one-dimensional nanostructures with different configurations and compositions simultaneously from a single precursor enables the diversity of nanotube/ nanowire synthesis, as well as their potential applications in nanoscale photonic and electronic devices.