Preparation of Ag-modified Zn2GeO4 nanorods for photo-degradation of organic pollutants

• Ag-modified Zn2GeO4 nanorods were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method.
• The nanorods can be used for photo-catalytic degradation of organic pollutants.
• Hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radical were the dominating active species.

The Zn2GeO4 nanorod photocatalysts with Ag doping and Ag decorating (Ag-modified Zn2GeO4) were synthesized by a mild solvothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) measurements. The one-dimensional (1D) Ag-modified Zn2GeO4 nanorods exhibited excellent photo-degradation performance using RhB and phenol as model for organic pollutants. The cycle degradation results revealed that Ag-modified Zn2GeO4 nanorods had an excellent chemical stability. The active species trapping experiment suggested that the hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radical were the dominating active species, rather than holes.

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