Magnetic ZnFe2O4@ZnSe hollow nanospheres for photocatalytic hydrogen production application

Magnetic ZnFe2O4@ZnSe hollow nanospheres were fabricated by a two-step method and applied for visible light photocatalytic water splitting. Magnetic ZnFe2O4 hollow nanosphere was prepared by using the carbonaceous microsphere as a template, and ZnSe nanoparticles were in site grown on the ZnFe2O4 surface. Through optimizing the reaction time, ZnFe2O4@ZnSe hollow nanospheres exhibited efficient light absorption and improved photocatalytic performance, and ZnFe2O4@ZnSe-20 with suitable ZnSe shell thickness possessed highest hydrogen production amount in 6 h (16897.3 mu mol/g). The experimental results revealed that the formation of heterojunction between ZnSe and ZnFe2O4 effectively separated and transferred the photo-induced electrons and holes, and inhibited the electron-hole pairs recombination. In addition, the magnetic recyclability of ZnFe2O4@ZnSe hollow nanospheres was beneficial to further photocatalytic hydrogen production application.