A facile, novel and low-temperature synthesis of MgO nanorods via thermal decomposition using new starting reagent and its photocatalytic activity evaluation

Herein, the MgO nanorods were successfully synthesized via a facile, novel and solvent-free thermal decomposition route at low temperature using Mg-MOF as a new starting reagent for the first time. The Mg-MOF was prepared via fast microwave-based method using 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid ammonium and Mg(NO3)(2)center dot 2H(2)O. Furthermore, the efficiency of MgO nanostructures as a photocatalyst for decolorization of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation has been evaluated. The synthesized MgO nanostructures exhibited appreciable photocatalytic activity and in presence of MgO, 90% degradation of MB was obtained after 180 min. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.