One-step chemical vapor growth of Ge/SiC(x)N(y) nanocables.

Single-step synthesis of one-dimensional Ge/SiCxNy core-shell nanocables was achieved by chemical vapor deposition of the molecular precursor [Ge{N(SiMe3)2}2]. Single crystalline Ge nanowires (diameter approximately 60 nm) embedded in uniform SiCxNy shells were obtained in high yields, whereby the growth process was not influenced by the nature of substrates. The shell material exhibited high oxidation and chemical resistance at elevated temperatures (up to 250 degrees C) resulting in the preservation of size-dependent semiconductor properties of germanium nanowires, such as intact transport of charge carriers and reduction of energy consumption, when compared to pure Ge nanowires.