Issue 14, 2013

In situ synthesis of Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of antibiotic metronidazole

Abstract

In this study, Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres were successfully fabricated by a template-engaged approach using zinc hydroxide carbonate (Zn4CO3(OH)6·H2O, ZHC) spheres as the template. During the hydrothermal process, Zn2+ dissolved from the surface of the ZHC spheres could rapidly react with the HGeO3 in solution and the Zn2GeO4 outer shell was formed in situ. Moreover, the building units of the Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres could gradually transform from the nanoparticles into nanobundles with the increase of the reaction time. The photocatalytic degradation results indicate that the Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres exhibited high photocatalytic activity and excellent stability for the degradation of antibiotic metronidazole in solution. Finally, the radical species involved in the degradation process have been investigated by using the scavenger experiments.

Graphical abstract: In situ synthesis of Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of antibiotic metronidazole

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Nov 2012
Accepted
03 Jan 2013
First published
07 Jan 2013

Dalton Trans., 2013,42, 5092-5099

In situ synthesis of Zn2GeO4 hollow spheres and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of antibiotic metronidazole

J. Liu, G. Zhang, J. C. Yu and Y. Guo, Dalton Trans., 2013, 42, 5092 DOI: 10.1039/C2DT32623J

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