A method of electrodepositing germanium compound materials on an exposed region of a substrate structure, which includes forming a plating solution by dissolving at least one germanium salt and at least one salt containing an element other than germanium in water; obtaining a substrate with a clean surface; immersing the substrate in the solution; and electroplating germanium compound materials on the substrate by applying an electrical potential between the substrate and an anode in the plating solution, in which the substrate is included in a semiconductor or phase change device.