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.