Visible Light-Sensitive ZnGe Oxynitride Catalysts for the Decomposition of Organic Pollutants in Water

A ZnGe oxynitride semiconductor was prepared by a solid-state reaction using GeO2 and ZnO under NH3 flow. The catalyst was used as a visible-light photocatalyst for the decomposition of organic compounds in polluted water. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized ZnGe oxynitride photocatalysts were characterized by several techniques, and aqueous photocatalytic activity was evaluated via the decomposition of model organic compounds including Rhodamine B, Methyl orange, Methylene blue, 4-chlorophenol, and salicylic acid. The results demonstrate that ZnGe oxynitride can photocatalytically oxidize organic pollutants in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation, suffering no obvious catalyst deactivation during reaction testing. The possible active species in the photocatalytic process are also discussed.