Cu2ZnGeS4 nanorods by solvothermal method: physical and photocatalytic properties

In the present study, we synthesized Cu2ZnGeS4 (CZGS) nanorods by simple solvothermal method. The physical properties, such as crystalline structure, band gap, morphology, and chemical composition, were studied using different characterization techniques. The structural characterization by X-ray diffraction showed predominantly orthorhombic phase which was additionally verified by Raman analysis. The estimated crystalline size of the nanorods was approximately 14–17 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed typically nanorod-like structures. The orthorhombic symmetry of CZGS has been further confirmed from high-resolution TEM results. The nanorods demonstrated good UV–Vis light absorption with optical band gap 2.01 eV. The photocatalytic efficiency of CZGS nanoparticles was evaluated from the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) using H2O2 in the solution; almost 90% of the MB was degraded in 180 min.