Controllable synthesis and characterization of Mg 2 SiO 4 nanostructures via a simple hydrothermal route using carboxylic acid as capping agent and their photocatalytic performance for photodegradation of azo dyes

nanostructures as photocatalysts were assessed by the degradation of several azo dyes (Acid Blue 92, Acid Brown 14, and Acid Violet 7) under UV and Vis light irradiation. The degradation percentages of Acid Blue 92 were about 88% and 74% in the presence of Vis and UV light respectively, and the percentages for photodegradation of Acid Brown 14 were approximately 76% and 82% in the presence of Vis and UV light, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation percentages for Acid Violet 7 were 93% and 80% under UV and Vis light, respectively.