GeI4
Germanium tetraiodide · Germanium(IV) iodide
Germanium tetraiodide is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily used as a chemical precursor for germanium-based materials.
About Germanium tetraiodide
Germanium tetraiodide is a binary halide compound that exists as a thermodynamically stable phase. Its semiconducting nature makes it a subject of interest in inorganic chemistry, particularly for its role as a precursor in the deposition of germanium-based thin films and other specialized materials.
With multiple reported structural configurations, this compound serves as a versatile building block in synthetic chemistry. Its ability to maintain stability while participating in complex reaction pathways underscores its importance in the development of advanced electronic and optical materials.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for Germanium tetraiodide, aggregated across 3 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for GeI4, ranked by energy above hull.
| Space GroupSymmetry classification of the crystal arrangement. The number is the international space-group index. | Crystal SystemBroad lattice family, such as cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, or triclinic, derived from unit-cell symmetry. | Band Gap (eV)Electronic gap calculated for this specific reported structure, measured in electronvolts. | E above hull (eV/atom)Thermodynamic distance from the convex hull for this structure, normalized per atom. Lower is generally more stable. | E/atom (eV)Computed total energy normalized per atom. Use energy above hull, not this value alone, when comparing stability. | Density (g/cm³)Mass per relaxed crystal volume, reported in grams per cubic centimeter. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pa-3 (No. 205) | cubic | 2.00 | 0.0000 | -2.730 | 4.14 |
| — | — | — | — | — | 3.48 |
| Fmm2 (No. 42) | Orthorhombic | — | — | — | 5.57 |
| Fmm2 (No. 42) | Orthorhombic | — | — | — | 4.91 |
| C2/m (No. 12) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 5.56 |
| Fmm2 (No. 42) | Orthorhombic | — | — | — | 5.02 |
| Cm (No. 8) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 8.01 |
| Cm (No. 8) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 4.39 |
Applications
Where Germanium tetraiodide is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Germanium tetraiodide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is GeI4?
Germanium tetraiodide is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily used as a chemical precursor for germanium-based materials.
What is GeI4 used for?
What is the band gap of GeI4?
Is GeI4 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is GeI4 thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of GeI4?
What is the density of GeI4?
How many polymorphs of GeI4 are known?
What elements does GeI4 contain?
Where does the data for GeI4 come from?
How It Compares
As a primary germanium-iodine binary compound, GeI4 serves as a foundational material within its class. It is frequently utilized as a high-purity source of germanium in chemical vapor transport processes, distinguishing itself through its reliable stability and predictable reactivity compared to more volatile or less stable halide counterparts.
Data sources & attribution
- materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
- omat24 — Data from OMat24 (Meta FAIR). Cite: Barroso-Luque et al., arXiv 2410.12771 (2024).
- mpaloe — Data from mpaloe.
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