Abstract

Research on waste-derived nanomaterials with applications have much interest. In this study, the synthesis of waste battery derived zinc (Zn2+)-doped Fe2O3 (Zn-Fe2O3) nanostructures was reported. The structural, and optical characteristics of Zn-Fe2O3 samples were analysed by different analytical techniques. The presence of Fe, Zn, and O elements were confirmed by EDS. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed Zn2+ doping in Fe2O3 lattices, whereas Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results supported the formation of ?-Fe2O3. The morphology and particle size of Zn-Fe2O3 samples were deduced from high resolution scanning electron microscopic (HRSEM) analysis. XPS result infers the oxidation state of iron, zinc and oxygen in 5 %Zn-Fe2O3. The band-gap of Zn-Fe2O3 samples were determined by UV–visible analysis. The catalytic potential of Zn-Fe2O3 samples was tested by visible light induced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The influence of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) in the photocatalytic property of Zn-Fe2O3 samples was further evaluated. 5 %Zn-Fe2O3 and 2 %Zn-Fe2O3 exhibited 87 % and 98.9 % efficiency in photocatalysis and photo-Fenton like catalysis, respectively. The possible photo-Fenton mechanism of 2 %Zn-Fe2O3 has been deduced. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.