Photocatalytic photodegradation of xanthate over Zn1−xMnxO under visible light irradiation

Mn-doped ZnO photocatalysts were prepared by precipitation method, and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuses reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra. Mn-doped ZnO photocatalysts showed high photocatalytic activities for xanthate photodegradation at pH 7 under visible light irradiation. Zn0.95Mn0.05O exhibited the highest photocatalytic photodegradation efficiency, which was attributed to the low recombination of the photogenerated electrons and holes.