In situ annealing experiments (in the temperature range between room temperature and 400 °C) in a transmission electron microscope show that Ge nanowires can be encapsulated in graphitic C shells in the presence of C (see figure) if the wire surface is decorated with small amounts of Au. The C shells are demonstrated to provide a protective barrier against nanowire oxidation even after prolonged exposure to ambient conditions.
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Sutter et al. (2006) studied this question.