The decomposition mechanism of metastable solid GeO film

Abstract

The process of formation and decomposition of solid films of germanium monoxide from GeO vapor was studied using physical and chemical approaches. A model clarifying the metastability of solid GeO is developed. According the model, the structure of atomic orbitals (σ- and n- bonds) of a GeO molecule causes the stability of GeO in gaseous phase. After condensation GeO(gas) <-> GeO(solid), the atomic orbitals of Ge are transformed in lowest energy sp3-hybridized configuration, this configuration is universal both for Ge and for Ge02. The decomposition of GeO(solid) into Ge and GeO2 is caused by relaxation of deformation energy appearing due to big difference of Ge-Ge and Ge-O bond length.