Hexamethylenetetramine-based nanomaterial synthesis, characterization, investigation of photocatalytic activity against Rhodamine B dye and kinetic study for hydrogen fuel production

In this study, zinc oxide nanomaterial (ZnO NPs) was synthesized using Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as a reducing agent. UV–Visible spectrometry (UV–Vis), Fourier-transformed infrared spectrum (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) methods were used for characterization. According to the TEM result, the average particle size was measured as 4.14 ± 0.93 nm. Morphological characterization was observed as hexagonal shape according to TEM. According to the XRD method, a crystal particle size was calculated as 5.185 nm. The catalytic properties of the characterized NPs were demonstrated by the methanolysis reaction of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The results of the experiments carried out in various parameters such as different substrate, catalyst, and temperature were carried out and enthalpy, entropy and activation energy were measured as 47.12 kJ/mol, 44.57 kJ/mol, −186.46 J/mol.K, respectively. The turnover frequency, which is an indicator of hydrogen efficiency was measured as 1089.64 h−1. The reusability test was carried out in 4 cycles and the catalytic activity of the nanomaterials was observed as 60%. In addition, the photodegradation activity of ZnO@HMT NPs was calculated to be 56.25% against RhB dye for 90 min. According to obtained result, the ZnO@HMT NPs can be developed to be a good photocatalyst to prevent industrial wastewater pollution and can be an efficient catalyst to produce H2 as an alternative energy source.