Highly active iron (II) oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite synthesized Thymus vulgaris plant as bioreduction catalyst: Characterization, hydrogen evolution and photocatalytic degradation.

This study aimed to synthesize an iron (II) oxide-zinc oxide (Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO) nanocomposite using eco-friendly methods and to evaluate its performance as a catalyst against textile dyes and hydrogen generation. To these means, Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO was synthesized from the Thymus vulgaris plant by biogenic methods. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectrometry, and X-Ray diffraction patterns (XRD). According to the obtained TEM characterization results, it was observed that the nanocomposite had an average size of 3.78 nm. According to the XRD results, the nanocomposite's average crystal size was 3.884 nm. In addition, the hydrogen release was investigated by NaBH 4 hydrolysis. The turnover frequency, activation energy (Ea), entropy (ΔS) , and enthalpy (ΔH) values obtained from hydrogen production studies are 1942.23 h−1 and 15.68 kJ/mol, −127.29 J/mol K, and 13.14 kJ/mol, respectively. In the reusability tests, it was observed that the nanocomposite was 78% effective. The photocatalytic studies using solar energy revealed that the nanocomposite was 79% effective for methylene blue (MB) dye removal. This work demonstrated the potential of transition metals for energy production. It showed that the developed nanocomposite could be a viable solution and, with further development, can be an efficient catalyst for alternative energy production (energy generation) and textile industry wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO nanocomposite materials were synthesized with the help of biogenic methods. • Hydrogen production was carried out by Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO nanocomposites as catalysts on NaBH 4. • Hydrogen production was provided at the different concentrations of catalysts, substrates, and temperatures. • TOF, Ea, ΔS, and ΔH values are 1942.23 h−1 and 15.68 kJ/mol, −127.29 J/mol K, and 13.14 kJ/mol, respectively. • The catalyst efficiency obtained by using MB under solar energy is 79%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]