Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Magnesium Doped Germanium Dioxide (Mg–GeO2) Nano Crystals for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

In this study, triethyl-germanium acetate was used as the initial material for the wet chemical synthesis of pure and magnesium-doped germanium dioxide (Mg–GeO2). The physiochemical characterization of As-grown nanocrystals ascertained the successful doping of Mg into the GeO2 lattices without changing their structure. The produced models were found to be 68 nm in size. Structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties were found effective with different concentrations of Mg doping. Methyl violet (C24H28N3Cl) was used as a model dye for the study of photocatalytic decolorization and degradation. The findings indicate that Mg–GeO2 exhibits greater photocatalytic decolorization and degradation ability than purified GeO2. This indicates that the Mg doping increases the photocatalytic decolorization and degradation efficacy of GeO2 nanocrystals.