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<p>Artificial photosynthesis using semiconductor photocatalysts, such as spinel-type compounds, offers a sustainable approach for hydrogen production by water splitting under visible light. In this study, zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O<sub>4</sub>) nanocatalysts were synthesized via a sol–gel auto-combustion process using citric acid as the chelating agent. The structural, optical, textural, and morphological properties were investigated. The nanoparticle sizes determined using the Modified Scherrer’s technique and W–H plot were 30.18&#xa0;nm and 33.74&#xa0;nm, respectively. Characteristic absorption bands are indicative of cubic spinel structures observed in the infrared spectrum between 400 and 600&#xa0;cm<sup>−1</sup>. FESEM imaging revealed a spherical morphology with an average grain size of 32.50 ± 4.77&#xa0;nm, while TEM analysis showed a particle size of 36.24&#xa0;nm. BET analysis yielded a surface area of 37.195&#xa0;m<sup>2</sup>/g, pore volume of 4.73&#xa0;cc/g, and average pore radius of 2.54&#xa0;nm. The optical bandgap was found to be 1.80&#xa0;eV. The photoluminescence spectra exhibited a broad emission band in the visible region. The magnetic characterization using VSM revealed a saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 1.5&#xa0;emu/g, confirming the weak ferromagnetic behavior of the ZnFe₂O<sub>4</sub> sample, which is beneficial for easy magnetic recovery and reuse in photocatalytic applications. Under UV–visible-light irradiation, the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanocatalyst achieved a hydrogen production rate of 64.99&#xa0;µmol/h/g after 8&#xa0;h of photoreaction. The potential mechanism for hydrogen generation is also discussed.</p>

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Visible-light-responsive ZnFe2O4 nanocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen production via. photocatalytic water splitting

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月14日

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  • Pratik S. Patil,
  • Mangesh V. Khedkar,
  • Yogesh P. Ubale,
  • Sudarshan S. Gawali,
  • K. M. Jadhav

摘要

Artificial photosynthesis using semiconductor photocatalysts, such as spinel-type compounds, offers a sustainable approach for hydrogen production by water splitting under visible light. In this study, zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O4) nanocatalysts were synthesized via a sol–gel auto-combustion process using citric acid as the chelating agent. The structural, optical, textural, and morphological properties were investigated. The nanoparticle sizes determined using the Modified Scherrer’s technique and W–H plot were 30.18 nm and 33.74 nm, respectively. Characteristic absorption bands are indicative of cubic spinel structures observed in the infrared spectrum between 400 and 600 cm−1. FESEM imaging revealed a spherical morphology with an average grain size of 32.50 ± 4.77 nm, while TEM analysis showed a particle size of 36.24 nm. BET analysis yielded a surface area of 37.195 m2/g, pore volume of 4.73 cc/g, and average pore radius of 2.54 nm. The optical bandgap was found to be 1.80 eV. The photoluminescence spectra exhibited a broad emission band in the visible region. The magnetic characterization using VSM revealed a saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 1.5 emu/g, confirming the weak ferromagnetic behavior of the ZnFe₂O4 sample, which is beneficial for easy magnetic recovery and reuse in photocatalytic applications. Under UV–visible-light irradiation, the ZnFe2O4 nanocatalyst achieved a hydrogen production rate of 64.99 µmol/h/g after 8 h of photoreaction. The potential mechanism for hydrogen generation is also discussed.