Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of FeSbO2F2 nanoparticle and its applications towards hydrogen evolution reaction, dye management and bacterial disinfection studies

FeSbO2F2 nanoparticle was synthesized hydrothermally and established as an excellent electrocatalyst towards hydrogen production through water splitting with a low overpotential of 98 mV (vs RHE) at the current density of 10 mA cm- 2, a Tafel slope of 86 mV dec- 1, and a prolonged reusability of 5 h. FeSbO2F2/4 mM H2O2 is a highly promising dye adsorbent, exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity of 175.956 mg/g and maintaining an adsorption efficiency of 90 %, even after 10 cycles of repeated use. High surface charge (+26 mV), surface area (46.65 m2/g), and pore diameter are responsible for this multilayered dye-adsorption. This compound was found to be a wide-band gap semiconductor and successfully participate in the photocatalytic dye degradation reaction with recyclability up to 8th cycles. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) study reveals that it crystallizes in monoclinic symmetry (C2/c) with a = 11.9104 (17) & Aring;, b = 4.9530 (4) & Aring;, c = 5.4947 (7) & Aring;, beta = 103.906 (14)degrees and Z = 4. Structural stability was confirmed through PXRD, EDX, TEM and SAED study in each application. FE-SEM, HR-TEM reveals plate shaped particles of FeSbO2F2 with sizes ranged from 2.6 to 3.8 nm and also discussed the responsible exposed planes of the crystallites for the aforementioned applications. Different electronic properties were computed utilising DFT, and the results were commensurate with the experimental observations. The catalyst also exhibits proficient antibacterial property against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.