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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Germanium dioxide nanowires have gained significant interest lately due to the the bandgap of 2.44 eV, and high index of refraction, n=1.63. In this paper we aim at investigating the lateral growth of high density metal-catalyzed germanium dioxide nanowires between electrodes. The gaps between two electrodes varied. The catalyst metal was placed on the electrodes, followed by a thermal annealing process, resulting in lateral growth of germanium dioxide whiskers with several microns length and eventually the formation of bridge-like nanostructures. These whiskers have certain unique properties, such as a high surface-to-volume ratio and the capability of connecting two electrodes. Because of these properties, the growth of whiskers from the electrodes has the potential to be developed as electronic devices such as nanosensors. These products are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as X-Ray diffraction (XRD).