Nano- and ultra-dispersed ZnO and ZnFe2O4 on graphitic carbon nitride as photoelectrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction†

Abstract

The sustainable production of hydrogen fuel through biomass-derived ethanol valorization is directly dependent on the availability of eco-friendly and efficient electrocatalysts for possible real-world end-uses. To this aim, graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) supported on flexible carbon cloths via electrophoretic deposition was functionalized with nano- and ultra-dispersed ZnO and ZnFe₂O₄ co-catalysts by cold plasma sputtering. The developed materials were tested for the first time as electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline media, paving the way to the implementation of promising and inexpensive noble metal-free systems for green energy generation.