Bio-mimetic ZnFe₂O₄ nanofibril photocatalysts for photoelectrochemical applications: role of electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
• Main Author: Nasir M.F.M.; Salehmin M.N.I.; Mamat M.H.; Kassim M.B.; Alrokayan S.A.H.; Khan H.A.; Hussain T.; Mahmood M.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2025
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85218410595&doi=10.1007%2fs10854-025-14387-w&partnerID=40&md5=39c5846474edd189fcc9a7bdf299b1c8

This study presents a simple and effective bio-templated synthesis method for fabricating zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanofiber photoelectrodes, designed to enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity across different electrolytes. Utilizing kapok fiber as a bio-template, a nanofibril-structured catalyst was synthesized and deposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via electrophoretic deposition, resulting in thin film photoelectrodes. Comprehensive analytical and spectroscopy techniques, including FESEM, EDX, XRD, ATR-FTIR, UV–Vis, BET, and XPS, confirmed the purity and physiochemical properties of the synthesized sample. PEC measurements reveal that the ZnFe₂O₄ nanofiber photoelectrode achieves significant current densities in different electrolytes, with KOH showing the highest performance followed by Na₂SO₄, Na₂SO₃, and NaOH, respectively, at 0.5 M and 0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The preparation of the bio-mimetic ZnFe₂O₄ nanofiber photocatalyst proves to be a facile, cost-effective, and promising photoanode material for PEC applications, contributing significantly to the advancement of environmentally friendly and efficient energy conversion technologies. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.