Opto-electrochemical characteristics of synthesized BaFe2O4 nanocomposites: Photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen generation investigation. (19th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenfoud, Hamza; Nasrallah, Noureddine; Baaloudj, Oussama; Belabed, Chemseddine; Chaabane, Toufik; Trari, Mohamed
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 24(2022)
• Page Start: 12039
• Page End: 12051
• Publication Date: 2022-03-19
• Subjects: Spinel BaFe2O4 -- Photo-electrochemical -- Rhodamine B -- Photodegradation -- Hydrogen generation; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.01.232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: We report on this study the optical and photo-electrochemical properties of BaFe2 O4 (BFO) nanoparticles and their role in photocatalytic degradation of an organic pollutant and hydrogen generation. The spinel BFO was synthesized by the sol-gel route and formed at 900 °C, the phase was identified by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical and dielectric properties of BFO were investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) and the diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS); An optical gap of 2.10 eV was found. The cyclic voltammetry of BFO has shown promising outcomes in the generation of hydrogen under visible light with a potential of (∼- 0.91 VSCE ). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also undertaken in the dark and under illumination. In order to support the results, we tested the activity of this spinel for the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B), 93% of Rh B was oxidized after 3 h with a quantum efficiency of 0.32% by the BFO/ZnO. The use of the new BFO/ZnO hetero-system by adding ZnO nanoparticles was performed to enhance the photocatalytic activity which generates radicals for the Rh B degradation and hydrogen liberation. The degradation radicals were determined by scavenger tests, both O2 − and OH were the main reactive species. Moreover, the stability of BFO/ZnO hetero-system was demonstrated for four consecutive cycles. Hence, the hetero-system was found to be an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen generation by facilitation of the photo-electron transfer with the deference potential (Ered – EZnO–CB = ∼0.14 VSCE ); This opens up new opportunities for hydrogen production as we can say that energy supply has a high priority in our time due to its importance. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Pure BaFe2 O4 semiconductor was synthesized and used as photocatalyst. An optical gap band of 2.10 eV was determined and confirmed for BaFe2 O4 . An efficient hydrogen generation was demonstrated using cyclic voltammetry. The novel BaFe2 O4 /ZnO hetero-system has been tested. A significant degradation for Rhodamine B was demonstrated.