Optical spectroscopic characterization of amorphous germanium carbide materials obtained by X-Ray Chemical Vapor Deposition

Paola Antoniotti; Paola Benzi; Chiara Demaria; Lorenza Operti; Roberto Rabezzana; Paola Antoniotti; Paola Benzi; Chiara Demaria; Lorenza Operti; Roberto Rabezzana

doi:10.3934/matersci.2015.2.106

AIMS Materials Science

2015, Volume 2, Issue 2: 106-121. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2015.2.106

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Optical spectroscopic characterization of amorphous germanium carbide materials obtained by X-Ray Chemical Vapor Deposition

1.
Department of Chemistry, NIS Reference Center, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy;
2.
INSTM via Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy

Received: 03 April 2015 Accepted: 27 May 2015 Published: 31 May 2015

Amorphous germanium carbides have been prepared by X-ray activated Chemical Vapor Deposition from germane/allene systems. The allene percentage and irradiation time (total dose) were correlated to the composition, the structural features, and the optical coefficients of the films, as studied by IR and UV-VIS spectroscopic techniques. The materials composition is found to change depending on both the allene percentage in the mixture and the irradiation time. IR spectroscopy results indicate that the solids consist of randomly bound networks of carbon and germanium atoms with hydrogen atoms terminating all the dangling bonds. Moreover, the elemental analysis results, the absence of both unsaturated bonds and CH₃ groups into the solids and the absence of allene autocondensation reactions products, indicate that polymerization reactions leading to mixed species, containing Ge-C bonds, are favored. E_opt values around 3.5 eV have been found in most of the cases, and are correlated with C sp³-bonding configuration. The B^1/2 value, related to the order degree, has been found to be dependent on solid composition, atoms distribution in the material and hydrogenation degree of carbon atoms.
- germanium carbide,
- X-Ray activated CVD,
- optical properties,
- binary alloys,
- amorphous materials
Citation: Paola Antoniotti, Paola Benzi, Chiara Demaria, Lorenza Operti, Roberto Rabezzana. Optical spectroscopic characterization of amorphous germanium carbide materials obtained by X-Ray Chemical Vapor Deposition[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2015, 2(2): 106-121. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2015.2.106

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Abstract

Amorphous germanium carbides have been prepared by X-ray activated Chemical Vapor Deposition from germane/allene systems. The allene percentage and irradiation time (total dose) were correlated to the composition, the structural features, and the optical coefficients of the films, as studied by IR and UV-VIS spectroscopic techniques. The materials composition is found to change depending on both the allene percentage in the mixture and the irradiation time. IR spectroscopy results indicate that the solids consist of randomly bound networks of carbon and germanium atoms with hydrogen atoms terminating all the dangling bonds. Moreover, the elemental analysis results, the absence of both unsaturated bonds and CH₃ groups into the solids and the absence of allene autocondensation reactions products, indicate that polymerization reactions leading to mixed species, containing Ge-C bonds, are favored. E_opt values around 3.5 eV have been found in most of the cases, and are correlated with C sp³-bonding configuration. The B^1/2 value, related to the order degree, has been found to be dependent on solid composition, atoms distribution in the material and hydrogenation degree of carbon atoms.

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