Hydrothermal synthesis of C-doped Zn3(OH)2V2O7 nanorods and their photocatalytic properties under visible light illumination

A visible light-driven photocatalyst, C-doped Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇, prepared by a hydrothermal method was studied. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by SEM, XRD, DRS, and XPS, and exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. Besides decoloring, the decomposition of MB was also observed, further demonstrating the performance of the photocatalyst. The carbon existing on the surface of Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇ nanorods was free and in carbide form. Dye degradation followed first-order kinetics, and was explained on the basis of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism.