Simple Synthesis and Luminescence Characteristics of PVP-Capped GeO2Nanoparticles

Abstract

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-capped rutile GeO2nanoparticles were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The capped GeO2nanoparticles showed significantly enhanced luminescence properties compared with those of the uncapped ones. We attributed this result to the effect of reducing surface defects and enhancing the possibility of electron-hole recombination of the GeO2nanoparticles by the PVP molecules. PVP-capped GeO2nanoparticles have potential application in optical and electronic fields.