Facile synthesis of Zn₂GeO₄ nanorods toward improved photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into renewable hydrocarbon fuel

Abstract

Zn₂GeO₄ nanorods were prepared by a surfactant-assisted solution phase route. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The possible formation mechanism of Zn₂GeO₄ nanorods was discussed. It was supposed that the CTA⁺ cations preferentially adsorb on the planes of Zn₂GeO₄ nanorods, leading to preferential growth along the c-axis to form the Zn₂GeO₄ rods with larger aspect ratio and higher surface area, which showed the improved photocatalytic activity for photoreduction of CO₂. The photoluminescence (PL) property of Zn₂GeO₄ nanorods was investigated through the emission spectra.

Keywords

photocatalysis / Zn₂GeO₄ / nanorod / cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)

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