Physicochemical properties of surface modified ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite incorporated with bio‐templated kapok fiber for photoelectrochemical application

Surface‐modified zinc ferrite nanocomposites were successfully prepared thru ultrasonic impregnation technique by taking kapok fiber as a bio‐template. This work demonstrates a fast preparation method to produce the bio‐templated ZnFe2O4 composite photocatalyst. The templating method for photocatalyst is favorable due to the benefit of a large surface area for solar harvesting activities in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) system. Comprehensive physicochemical analyses have successfully determined the unique properties of the prepared catalysts. The pure mimetic fibrous catalysts were successfully fabricated as photoelectrodes on the fluorine tin oxide substrate using electrophoretic deposition technique for PEC measurement. The ranging ratio of precursors used to prepare bio‐templated zinc ferrite catalysts shows an effect on their surface structure then influences the photocurrent density performance of PEC analysis. The ZF1 photoanode at 1:1 Zn/Fe ratio has generated the highest photocurrent density of 58 μA cm−2 at 0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl compare to other samples in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution under 100 mW cm−2 light irradiation. The high photocurrent density was attributed to the enhancement in light‐harvesting properties, fine surface structure, and high charge transfer properties that correlate with the composite ratio's alteration. The bio‐templated zinc ferrite photocatalysts are a promising photoanode in PEC activities.