Synthesis, morphology, optical and photocatalytic performance of nanostructured β-Ga2O3

Fine powders of β-Ga2O3 nanostructures were prepared via low temperature reflux condensation method by varying the pH value without using any surfactant. The pH value of reaction mixture had great influence on the morphology of final products. High crystalline single phase β-Ga2O3 nanostructures were obtained by thermal treatment at 900 °C which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphological analysis revealed rod like nanostructures at lower and higher pH values of 6 and 10, while spindle like structures were obtained at pH = 8. The phase purity and presence of vibrational bands were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical absorbance spectrum showed intense absorption features in the UV spectral region. A broad blue emission peak centered at 441 nm due to donor–acceptor gallium–oxygen vacancy pair recombination appeared. The photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation was higher for nanorods at pH 10.

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► Nanostructures of β-Ga2O3 were prepared using facile reflux condensation process.
► The pH of the reaction mixture shows evident influence on the size and shape of the nanostructures formed.
► The nanostructures exhibited good photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B and was found to be superior for higher pH value.