Facile Ge/GR nanocubes synthesis and application for Sudan I photodegradation in water

In this work, highly uniform cubic germanium/husk-derived graphene nanocomposites (Ge/GR nanocubes) were synthesized via facile chemical methods. The structure and composition of the prepared Ge/GR nanocubes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) etc., confirming a homogeneous distribution of Ge nanocubes (30–90 nm in size) on few-layered graphene nanosheets. Further investigations showed that the prepared novel Ge/GR nanocubes could combine both photocatalytical advantages of Ge nanocubes and graphene nanosheets for Sudan I purification with optimal removal efficiency of 98.1% in wide concentration range (0.25–4.0 mg/mL) at mild conditions. The prepared high active photocatalyst can be used for five consecutive runs. By using husk-derived graphite microcrystalline as the starting material of graphene, the cost of the Ge/GR nanocubes was obvious decreased, which fosters it a high active, low cost and durable candidate for azo dye removal in water.