Synthesis of 2D Germanane (GeH): a New, Fast, and Facile Approach

Germanane (GeH), a germanium analogue of graphane, has recently attracted considerable interest because its remarkable combination of properties makes it an extremely suitable candidate to be used as 2D material for field effect devices, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. Up to now, the synthesis of GeH has been conducted by substituting Ca by H in a beta-CaGe2 layered Zintl phase through topochemical deintercalation in aqueous HCl. This reaction is generally slow and takes place over 6 to 14 days. The new and facile protocol presented here allows to synthesize GeH at room temperature in a significantly shorter time (a few minutes), which renders this method highly attractive for technological applications. The GeH produced with this method is highly pure and has a band gap (E-g) close to 1.4 eV, a lower value than that reported for germanane synthesized using HCl, which is promising for incorporation of GeH in solar cells.

Automated summary

Germanane (GeH), a germanium analogue of graphane, is a highly suitable candidate for field effect devices, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis as a 2D material due to its unique properties. A new, efficient synthesis method allows for the production of pure GeH at room temperature in a short amount of time, with a band gap value promising for solar cell applications.