The dissolution of germanium in water was studied as a function of oxygen partial pressure, temperature, crystallographic-orientation, and mobile-carrier density. It was found that, although thermodynamically feasible, germanium does not react with water, freed of oxygen, in the temperature range studied (up to 100~In the presence of oxygen the dissolution rate in pure water is a function of oxygen partial pressure, reaching a limiting value of the order of 1 t,g/cm~/hr at 35~ under oxygen partial pressures greater than approximately 0.5 atm. For a given oxygen pressure the dissolution rate is approximately trebled for a ten-degree temperature rise, the measured activation energy for the dissolution reaction being 19 __ 2 kcal/mole. The order of dissolution rates for the three principal crystallographic faces was found to be {1O0}> {110}> {111}. No effect on the dissolution rate was found to result from changes in mobile-carrier concentrations brought about by doping or illumination. From dissolution rates and potentials it is concluded that the dissolution process is under cathodic control and that the rate-determining step is the reduction of oxygen by germanium. ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 192.236.36.29 Downloaded on 2015-04-12 to IP ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 192.236.36.29 Downloaded on 2015-04-12 to IP