Preparation of a porous nanostructured germanium from GeO2via a “reduction–alloying–dealloying” approach

Abstract

We present here a controllable and affordable preparation of porous nanostructured germaniums with interesting photo-responsive properties from GeO₂ powder through an electrochemical reduction–alloying process in molten salt (reduction and alloying) and post zero-energy-consumption water etching (dealloying).