Fabrication of ultrafine ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic reduction CO2 under visible light illumination

A one-pot, solvent-thermal process was used to create the ultrafine ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles photocatalyst. During the solvent-thermal process, the in situ self-forming NaCl not only served as a “cage” to confine the ion diffusion, but also acted as a microreactor for nanocrystallite growth. An average particle size of ∼10 nm and a high-specific surface area of ∼112.9 m2/g were observed for the ultrafine ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles Owing to the synergistic effect of ultrafine particle size, the full utilization of the visible light region and high conduction band (CB) position, ultrafine ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst displayed an efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction under visible light illumination. Besides, the ultrafine ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst showed high production selectivity for CH3CHO and C2H5OH generation in aqueous CO2/NaHCO3 solution. This work may provide a new idea for the synthesis of new high-efficiency photocatalysts.