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Prussian Blue Analogues-Derived ZnFe2O4 in CuO/ZnFe2O4 p–n Junction for H2 Production

Trinh L., Parzuch A., Bienkowski K., Wróbel P., Pisarek M., Kaproń G. and Solarska R.

ACS Omega

9(43), 2024, pp. 43734-43742, 10.1021/acsomega.4c06231

ZnFe2O4 is an n-type semiconductor spinel oxide with promising applications in various fields, including photocatalysis. This study reports the successful synthesis of a novel ZnFe2O4 derivative based on Prussian Blue Analogues (PBAs) through an electrosynthesis method. To enhance photocatalytic performance, the synthesized ZnFe2O4 was employed as a cocatalyst in p–n junction materials, specifically CuO/ZnFe2O4. Our findings reveal that introducing ZnFe2O4 could significantly improve the photocatalytic activity and hydrogen (H2) production rate of the CuO/ZnFe2O4 system compared to bare CuO. This enhancement was sustained over an extended operational period, indicating the material’s potential for long-term use in photocatalytic applications. The superior performance of the ZnFe2O4 cocatalyst is attributed to its efficient charge separation and improved light absorption properties, which collectively contribute to higher photocatalytic efficiency. This study highlights the potential of PBA-based derivative ZnFe2O4 as an effective cocatalyst in developing advanced photocatalytic systems for sustainable hydrogen production.


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