The decomposition mechanism of metastable solid GeO film

The process of formation and decomposition of solid films of germanium monoxide from GeO vapor was studied using physical and chemical approaches. A model clarifying the metastability of solid GeO is developed. According the model, the structure of atomic orbitals (sigma- and n- bonds) of a GeO molecule causes the stability of GeO in gaseous phase. After condensation GeO(gas) harr GeO(solid), the atomic orbitals of Ge are transformed in lowest energy sp³-hybridized configuration, this configuration is universal both for Ge and for Ge0₂. The decomposition of GeO(solid) into Ge and GeO₂ is caused by relaxation of deformation energy appearing due to big difference of Ge-Ge and Ge-O bond length.