Microbial-induced phase transition of GeO2 and its study by XRD and Raman spectrum

Abstract In this paper, we report the formation of germanium dioxide nanoparticles obtained from the action of certain microbes on Germanium crystal under low magnetic field at ambient temperature. The atomic oxygen is chemisorbed in the presence of catalyst by forming GeO2. The evolution of the Germanium dioxide from Germanium and microbes-induced phase transitions in GeO2 is studied by the means of X-ray diffraction method and Raman spectroscopy. The formation of GeO2 from Germanium is also prone to surface oxidation which may compromise surface sensitive measurements. The X-ray diffraction method is not sensitive to anharmonicity-induced dynamical effects due to which there would be a lack of clarity about the phases and transitions intervening in the phase transition of GeO2. The detection of phase transition of GeO2 was being studied by broadening and shifts of diffraction angle in X-ray diffraction. Raman scattering establish the microbial induced phase transitions and identify phases of germanium oxide. The detection of phase transition was being studied by substantial broadening and softening of Raman modes as to identify the transition regions and possible intermediate phases.