(499d) Synthesis and Characterization of Mn2O3-ZnO Nanocomposites for Hydrogen Generation Via Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Splitting of Water

Synthesis and Characterization of Mn₂O₃-ZnO Nanocomposites for Hydrogen Generation via Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Splitting of Water

Nirupama Singh, Surbhi Choudhary,Vibha R. Satsangi^#, Sahab Dass and Rohit Shrivastav*

Department of Chemistry, ^#Department of Physics & Computer Science,

Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Dayalbagh, Agra-282 005, India

*E-mail: rohitshrivastav_dei@yahoo.co.in

The growing consumption of energy, which is now mainly produced from fossil fuels leads to a further depletion of the limited fossil reserves, increased dependency on fossil fuel imports from often politically unstable counties and furthermore gives rise to an increased concentration of green house gases mainly CO₂ in the atmosphere. The report deals with the synthesis of Mn₂O₃-ZnO nanocomposites, their characterization, and possible use in photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic splitting of water for hydrogen generation. Powdered samples of nanocomposites were prepared by co-precipitation at varying Mn/Zn molar ratios. XRD analysis revealed the evolution of wurtzite ZnO and Mn₂O₃ phases in samples, while optical absorption threshold was found shifted towards higher wavelength with increasing Mn amount. The Zn/Fe molar ratio in nanocomposites was optimized, yielding significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical current and photocatalytic hydrogen yield. Plausible explanations for observed change in photoresponse of samples have been offered.