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

• Published in: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
• Main Authors: Nasir, Mohd Faizal Md; Salehmin, Mohd Nur Ikhmal; Mamat, Mohamad Hafiz; Kassim, Mohammad B.; Alrokayan, Salman A. H.; Khan, Haseeb A.; Hussain, Tajamul; Mahmood, Mohamad Rusop
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SPRINGER 2025
• Subjects: Engineering; Materials Science; Physics
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001428325400007
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-025-14387-w

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.