CAS 992-91-6 Germanium(IV) methoxide - Analytical Products / Alfa Chemistry

CAT	AP992916
CAS	992-91-6
Structure
MDL Number	MFCD00014881
Molecular Weight	196.78
InChI Key	ACOVYJCRYLWRLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Density	1.325 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
BP	66-67 °C/36 mmHg (lit.)
Form	liquid
Impurity Content	≤5% methyl alcohol
Linear Formula	Ge(OCH3)4
MP	−18 °C (dec.) (lit.)
Refractive Index	n20/D 1.399 (lit.)
Size	5G

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Case Study

Germanium Methoxide for the Synthesis of Cu₂ZnSn₁₋ₓGeₓS₄ Nanocrystals for Kesterite Solar Cell Applications

Mora-Herrera, D., Mou Pal, and F. Paraguay-Delgado. Materials Chemistry and Physics 257 (2021): 123764.

Germanium methoxide has been effectively utilized as a key precursor for the synthesis of Cu₂ZnSn₁₋ₓGeₓS₄ (CZTGS) nanocrystals, which are promising absorber materials for kesterite-based thin-film solar cells. The incorporation of Ge into the Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) matrix allows for tunable bandgap engineering and improved optoelectronic properties, addressing the performance limitations of conventional CZTS devices.
In this study, CZTGS nanocrystals with varying Ge content (x = 0 to 1) were synthesized via a solvothermal route. Germanium methoxide was selectively used to replace SnCl₄·5H₂O at precise mole ratios, enabling controlled substitution of Ge for Sn in the kesterite lattice. The precursor solution, comprising CuCl, Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O, sulfur, and either SnCl₄ or germanium methoxide, was dissolved in ethylenediamine (EDA), homogenized, and thermally treated in a sealed autoclave at 180 °C for 24 hours.
The CZTGS nanocrystals were subsequently annealed under a nitrogen-sulfur atmosphere at 500 °C to enhance crystallinity. Crucially, germanium methoxide was stored at 10 °C to preserve its reactivity, highlighting the compound's moisture sensitivity.
This method demonstrates germanium methoxide's value in producing compositionally tunable CZTGS nanocrystals, underscoring its utility in low-cost, scalable fabrication of next-generation photovoltaic absorbers with enhanced efficiency.

Germanium Methoxide for the Preparation of Nanoporous GeO₂ Aerogels via Sol-Gel Process

Kucheyev, S. O., Baumann, T. F., Wang, Y. M., Van Buuren, T., Poco, J. F., Satcher, J. H., & Hamza, A. V. (2006). Applied physics letters, 88(10).

Germanium methoxide (Ge(OMe)₄) plays a pivotal role in the sol-gel synthesis of ultralow-density, high-surface-area GeO₂ aerogels, which are promising materials for advanced optical and electronic applications. In this study, monolithic nanoporous GeO₂ aerogels were prepared through the controlled hydrolysis of germanium methoxide, followed by supercritical drying, yielding an amorphous network of elongated GeO₂ nanoligaments.
The synthesis began by dissolving 1.25 g of germanium methoxide in 45 mL of acetonitrile, followed by the addition of 250 µL distilled water under vigorous stirring. After 5 minutes, the resulting sol was transferred to stainless steel molds and subjected to a supercritical extraction process. This step involved heating in an acetonitrile-filled autoclave to 310 °C under 14 MPa, promoting gelation. Rapid decompression allowed the formation of structurally intact aerogels with minimal collapse.
Soft X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis confirmed that Ge atoms retain a distorted tetrahedral environment, akin to hexagonal quartz-like GeO₂. The resulting aerogels exhibit exceptional structural features suitable for use in optical waveguides, nanoscale memory storage elements, and light-emitting devices. Additionally, they can serve as sacrificial templates for the fabrication of novel nanoporous architectures.
This work highlights the critical function of germanium methoxide as a versatile precursor in fabricating next-generation GeO₂-based nanostructured materials.

Germanium Methoxide for the Preparation of Ge/TiO₂@C Nanotablets for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

Yao, Tianhao, et al. ChemistrySelect 4.35 (2019): 10576-10580.

Germanium methoxide (C₄H₁₂GeO₄) has been employed as a key precursor in the synthesis of high-performance Ge/TiO₂@C nanotablets, developed as advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, MIL-125, a titanium-based metal-organic framework (Ti-MOF), was used as a scaffold for the adsorption of germanium methoxide, enabling controlled incorporation of Ge species into the matrix.
The synthesis involved ultrasonic dispersion of 100 μL of germanium methoxide in methanol, followed by adsorption onto 100 mg of MIL-125. After full adsorption, the Ge-loaded MIL-125 precursor was subjected to thermal annealing at 600 °C under an Ar/H₂ atmosphere (9:1 v/v). This process resulted in the formation of porous Ge/TiO₂@C nanotablets with a well-defined morphology, where ultrafine Ge nanoparticles were uniformly embedded within the TiO₂/C framework.
This hybrid architecture significantly improved the electrochemical performance of the resulting anode material, offering higher specific capacity and better cycling stability compared to TiO₂@C without Ge incorporation. The synergistic effects of the conductive carbon matrix, nanoscale TiO₂, and the high-capacity Ge domains enhance lithium storage kinetics and structural integrity during cycling.
This work underscores germanium methoxide's utility in fabricating Ge-integrated nanostructured composites for next-generation LIB anodes, contributing to the advancement of high-energy-density energy storage materials.