Статья

Dual-doped ZnO nanocomposites for superior photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Abu Summama Sadavi BilalDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60000, PakistanMuhammad Sohail KhanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60000, PakistanNayan BanikDepartment of Physics, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USAAbdulla HayitovDepartment of Transports Systems, Urgench State University, Urgench, UzbekistanRekha MMDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to Be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, IndiaSubhashree RayDepartment of Biochemistry, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to Be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751003, IndiaKapil GhaiCentre for Promotion of Research, Graphic Era Deemed to Be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, IndiaUdaybir SinghCentre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, IndiaEgambergan KhudoynazarovDepartment of General Sciences, Mamun University, 220900, Khiva, UzbekistanMuhammad AleemDipartimento Di Ingegneria, Universita’ Della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Roma 29, Aversa, ItalyAkbar Ali QureshiDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60000, Pakistan

Journal of Materials Science Materials in Engineeringjournal2025en

ABI

Аннотация

Abstract The development of efficient and stable photocatalysts for hydrogen (H 2 ) generation is crucial for sustainable energy applications. This study addresses the limitations of pristine zinc oxide (ZnO), its wide bandgap (~ 3.37 eV), and rapid charge recombination by synthesizing aluminum (Al) and cerium (Ce) co-doped ZnO nanocomposites (ACZO) via a scalable hydrothermal method. Structural and optical characterizations confirmed successful dopant incorporation, reduced crystallite size, and enhanced light absorption, with a narrowed bandgap of 2.64 eV. Further, these modifications suppress electron–hole recombination, as evidenced by a 70% reduction in photoluminescence intensity for ACZO compared to ZnO. Under simulated solar irradiation, the optimized ACZO nanocomposite achieved an H 2 generation rate of 1474 μmol/g.h, a 2.8-fold increase over pristine ZnO, outperforming single-doped counterparts (AZO: 1.25-fold; and CZO: 1.84-fold). The optimal catalyst dosage was determined to be 1.5 g/L, balancing dispersion and light absorption. Furthermore, ACZO exhibited excellent photostability over multiple cycles, demonstrating its potential for long-term applications. This study highlights the effectiveness of dual doping in enhancing ZnO’s photocatalytic efficiency, positioning ACZO as a promising candidate for scalable solar-driven hydrogen production.

Перевод пока недоступен

Темы

Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques Copper-based nanomaterials and applications ZnO doping and properties

Идентификаторы

DOI: 10.1186/s40712-025-00327-3

Цитирования и источники

Цитирований: 0Использованных источников: 43

Показатели — AkademScholar