Zn2MnO4/ZnO nanocomposites: One step sonochemical fabrication and demonstration as a novel catalyst in water splitting reaction

Abstract

In the present study, the main goal is to prepare Zn2MnO4/ZnO nanocomposites via the sonochemical method. The purity, size, and structure of the products were investigated by changing the calcination temperature, sonication time, and the stoichiometric ratio of the precursors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were utilized to specify the Zn2MnO4/ZnO nanocomposites. Changing the operative preparation factor can modify the uniformity, size, shape, and structure of the samples. The optical property of nanocomposites was studied via Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and it is shown that the bandgap is suited for catalytic activity in water-splitting reaction. So Zn2MnO4/ZnO nanocomposite was employed as a novel catalyst for the O2 evolution reaction. It was observed that cumulative the uniformity of the catalytic agent increased the O2 evolution reaction yield. The highest value of the oxygen evolution, TON and TOF are associated with nanorod structures, which prepared by 1-h sonication and calcined at 700 °C. As a result, we can recommend Zn2MnO4/ZnO nanocomposite as an operative and unique catalyst for the O2 evolution of water-splitting reaction.