Soft chemistry routes to GeS2 nanoparticles

Spherical GeS₂ particles are prepared by a low temperature liquid route with TEOG as germanium precursor and either H₂S or thioacetamide (TAA) as sulfur precursors. The size and agglomeration of the particles change depending upon the temperature and nature of the solvent. Most synthesis lead to preparing amorphous GeS₂. When the reaction kinetic is slowed down by using TAA at 25 °C, the obtained GeS₂ product presents a larger order in the range of few Å as proven by Raman spectroscopy, even though it is still an amorphous compound as suggested by X-Ray diffraction and TEM experiments.