Fast preparation of flower-like Bi4Ge3O12 microstructures via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process

In the present paper, we report a facile and fast microwave-assisted solution-phase approach for the preparation of flower-like bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12) microstructures, employing bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) and germanium dioxide (GeO2) as starting materials. The phase and morphology of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrum, energy dispersive spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Some control experiments have been carried out to reveal the influencing factors involved in the formation, which suggested that reaction time, reaction temperature, the volume of ammonia and glycerol play crucial roles in the formation of the flower-like Bi4Ge3O12. The optical absorption property of the product has been investigated.