Soft chemistry synthesis of high-crystalline orthogermanate CeGeO4: A new photocatalyst

A new orthogermanate phase of CeGeO4 was studied and the corresponding nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method without adding any capping agent. The pH value of the solution and the reaction time were also further investigated, respectively. The as-prepared CeGeO4 nanocrystals with a uniform size of 15 nm have been characterized by using XRD/TEM/TGA/UV–vis techniques, and their electronic structures and band gap were calculated based on a plane wave density function theory (DFT). The promising photocatalytic properties of CeGeO4 have been confirmed through monitoring reactive oxidative species generated in photocatalytic reactions of terephthalic acid as a fluorescence probe.

Graphical AbstractA novel photocatalyst CeGeO4 was prepared.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► CeGeO4 as a novel photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. ► Electronic structure and band gap were calculated based on DFT. ► CeGeO4 exhibited a promising photocatalytic performance.