A Multi-Functional and Highly Efficient Photo-Electrocatalytic 3D ZnO Nanoflowers for Simultaneous Water Splitting and Wastewater Treatment

Overview

Developing sustainable technologies to harness solar energy for wastewater treatment and hydrogen fuel production is crucial for addressing global energy and environmental challenges. In this study, a highly efficient zinc oxide (ZnO) photoelectrocatalyst was developed to simultaneously treat wastewater and produce green hydrogen. The catalyst was fabricated through a facile and environmentally friendly electrochemical anodization method, which can be completed within 15 minutes at a temperature range of 1-5°C, offering a rapid and low-energy synthesis approach.The ZnO photoelectrocatalyst was synthesized by electropolishing three samples for 10 minutes and subjecting them to different anodization fabrication times. Characterization techniques, including XPS, XRD, SEM-EDX, UV-VIS, and Mott-Schottky plot were utilized to determine the optimal fabrication time, which was found to be 5 minutes. The SEM images revealed unique nanowire structures that resemble nanoflowers, which greatly enhance photocatalytic efficiency. The synthesized catalyst exhibited superior organic wastewater treatment capabilities compared to existing solutions, degrading 99% of methylene blue, a common organic dye pollutant, in just 5 minutes. Furthermore, the photoelectrode demonstrated remarkable water-splitting performance, achieving an anodic potential shift at a current of 10 mA/cm2 toward (0.5V vs. RHE) under illumination conditions, indicating a highly efficient water-splitting process. In addition, Solar to hydrogen efficiency reaches 22.7% at 0.7 V. The development of this highly efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst offers a promising approach to managing and taking advantage of polluted wastewater, contributing to addressing both the global water and the global energy crisis.

Awards (1)

• Fourth Award of $500 $500

Competition history

• ISEF 2023 Environmental Engineering · Entry ENEV046 · Dallas, Texas, United States

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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