MgO nanoparticles were synthesized by template-free reflux condensation approach. XRD and FTIR confirmed
Received 25 February 2013 the formation of single phase MgO exhibiting cubic crystal structure. SEMand TEManalysis revealed the forma-
Received in revised form5 August 2013 tion of MgO nanoflakes. The optical band gap of MgO nanoparticles estimated from UV DRS was in the range
Accepted 12 September 2013
5.40–5.45 eV. PL spectra of MgO nanoparticles showed visible emissions due to the formation of defects in the
Available online 20 September 2013
band gap region of MgO. Synthesized MgO nanoparticles exhibited appreciable photocatalytic activity for the
Keywords:
degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue dyes under UV light irradiation. Results demonstrated that
MgO
the origin of photocatalytic activity in MgO arises due to the existence of high concentration of native defects
X-ray diffraction on the surface of MgO