Hydrazine monohydrate n2h4

As precursors of Zn, S and Mn zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO₃)₂٠6H₂O) (>99%), thiourea (CH₄N₂S) (99%) and manganese acetate tetrahydrate (Mn(CH₃COO)₂٠4H₂O) (>99%) used were from Sigma-Aldrich (Poznan, Poland). As solvents and, at the same time, stabilizers, we used two commonly applied amines, i.e. ethylenediamine (C₂H₈N₂) (>99%, Sigma-Aldrich) and hydrazine monohydrate (N₂H₄) (98%, Sigma-Aldrich). For the photocatalytic tests, rhodamine B (RhB) (99%, Sigma-Aldrich, CAS no. 81-88-9) and P25 TiO₂ (≥99.5%, Sigma-Aldrich) were utilized. All chemicals were used as received without further purification.

4-Aminobenzophenone, benzophenone and hydrazine monohydrate (N₂H₄, 64–65%) were supplied by Sigma Aldrich (India). TiCl₄ was procured from Spectrochem Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai (India). Phthalic anhydride was purchased from SDFCL (India). All other common chemicals and solvents were obtained from local commercial suppliers and were used without further purification. All aqueous solutions were prepared with ultrapure water obtained from Millipore system and purged with N₂ for 15 min before use.