Room temperature synthesis of germanium dioxide nanorods and their in vitro photocatalytic application

Room temperature synthesis of germanium oxide nanorods (GeO2Nrs) by co-precipitation method using NaOH as hydrolysis agents and GEBIO solution as precursor and stabilizing agents is highlighted in this study. GEBIO is a mineral germanium dioxide solution developed for agricultural products to allow the accumulation of natural plant-based germanium in crops. This germanium fertilizer, which contains germanium dioxide (1000 mu g/mL), liquid enzyme, boron (0.11%, v/v) and molybdenum (0.005%, v/v), is proposed to contribute to the nucleation and elongation of rod-shaped GeO2 nanoparticles during the reaction phase. FE-TEM images of GeO2 crystals demonstrated the rod-shaped structure with a diameter in the range of 60-220 nm and lengths of the nanorods are in the range of 0.2-2.20 um. FTIR spectra of GeO2Nrs suggested that the molecules found in GEBIO were likely to grant stabilization. Furthermore, more than 50% degradation of methylene blue dye could be achieved within 60 min of exposure to GeO2Nrs and excess GEBIO solution under UV light. In conclusion, the energy efficient synthesis of GeO2Nrs may be useful as novel synthesis of photocatalytic agents for the remediation of wastewater.