Synthesizing Germanium Nanotubes in an Electric Arc Plasma

An original technique for the synthesis of germanium nanostructures in an electric arc argon plasma is described. The plasma-chemical synthesis of germanium nanotubes up to 100 mu m long and up to 1 mu m in diameter is performed by selecting the strength of the electric current, the pressure of the buffer gas, and the interelectrode distance. Individual nanotubes reach lengths of several mm. Unlike germanium nanotubes grown via CVD, the germanium nanotubes synthesized in this work have distinct shapes and sizes. They are separated from each other and can be easily manipulated. It is shown that this technique allows both germanium nanotubes and germanene to be grown.