α-GeC precursors obtained by radiolysis of GeH4–hydrocarbon mixtures

Abstract

The radiolysis of gaseous GeH₄–C₂H₆ and GeH₄–C₃H₈ mixtures yields solid powders containing Ge, C and H. The composition of the solids has been determined versus the Ge–hydrocarbon ratio in the gas phase and the nature of the hydrocarbon. The carbon content of the solids has been found to be proportional to the number of carbon atoms in the reacting mixture. The nature of the carbon species has been investigated by mass spectrometry and IR. On thermal decomposition the powders yield both mixed Ge–C hydrides and hydrocarbons of up to nine carbon atoms. The annealing behaviour has been followed by EPR and XRD methods: the powders become amorphous after 570 K and start to rearrange to an ordered form above 770 K.