Fe3+ -doped ZnSnO3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the solution combustion method, using Aloe Vera gel as a reducing agent. The sample was characterized by Powder X-ray crystallography (PXRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The PXRD patterns of the sample confirm the phase purity and inverse spinel cubic structure. The crystallite sizes were estimated using Scherrer's and Williamson's method, found to be 11 and 14 nm respectively. From the FESEM images, it was observed that small particles are agglomerated over ice-spongy-like heavy particles, and the EDAX spectra give the chemical composition of the samples with no other elements present. From UV-visible spectroscopic analysis,a broad absorption spectrum was observed in the range of 230 to 400 nm. From the Wood and Tauc plot, the energy band gap of the compound was found to be 3.06 eV. The ZnSnO3:Fe(10 mol %) shows a minimal over potential of 266 mV with a Tafel slope of 107 mVdec-1. The ZnSnO3:Fe(10 mol %) NPs exhibit effective Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) kinetics, which are helpful in the field of energy conversion and storage devices.
B. et al. (Wed,) studied this question.