Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of novel Hg doped ZnO nanorods prepared by thermal decomposition method

The nanorods of Hg doped ZnO samples were prepared by a facile thermal decomposition method and the samples were characterized using various techniques. The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results indicate the formation of hexagonal rod shaped Hg doped ZnO with the absence of impurities. The UV-Vis absorption measurements demonstrated that Hg doped ZnO shows a band edge shift towards visible region. The surface morphology was studied using FE-SEM techniques. In addition, the doped samples were used to degrade model organic dyes under visible condition and the results are discussed in detail. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.