Solution-phase Synthesis of Zn-doped GaN Photocatalysts: Morphology, Composition, and Catalytic Activity towards Methylene Blue Degradation and 4-nitroaniline Conversion

Solution based synthesis methods; refluxing, base hydrolysis, and hydrothermal synthesis were successfully applied to synthesize shape anisotropic Zn doped Ga2O3, followed by subsequent nitridation in ammonia to make corresponding nitride photocatalysts. The catalysts were characterized using different physical characterization methods to evaluate their structure, shape and composition. Photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation and selective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro organic compound 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) were selected to probe reactions under uv-visible and visible light irradiation. Zn containing nitride catalysts are clearly active on MB degradation and 4-NA conversion under visible light irradiation.