Patent ID: 8361303

Claim:
A method for generating germane in a divided tubular housing electrochemical cell; comprising the steps of: providing a cathode chamber comprising a metal alloy cathode, and cathode gas outlet; providing an anode chamber comprising an anode that is part of inner wall of the tubular housing comprising metal M 1 , and an anode gas outlet; providing an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising Germanium dioxide (GeO 2 ), a hydroxide M 2 OH and an electrolyte solvent in the cathode chamber and the anode chamber; wherein the metal alloy cathode and the anode are at least partially immersed in the aqueous electrolyte solution; providing a divider separating the cathode chamber from the anode chamber; wherein the divider is electrically insulated from anode and cathode circuits; supplying an electric power to the divided electrochemical cell; releasing gas generated in the cathode chamber through the cathode gas outlet as the hydride gas; and releasing gas generated in the anode chamber through the anode gas outlet; wherein the metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of copper alloy, tin alloy and combinations thereof.