Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution in Water Splitting with Pectin Stabilized Magnetite Nanoparticles

Abstract Magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles are used in heterogeneous catalysis due to their biocompatibility, magnetic properties, and catalytic activity. However, Fe 3 O 4 is prone to oxidation, which can compromise its structural and chemical stability. To address this, pectin, a biodegradable biopolymer extracted from agricultural waste, was used as a stabilizing agent to enhance the structural integrity of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a co‐precipitation method and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and BET, and further evaluated as catalysts for electrochemical water splitting. FTIR confirmed the interaction between carboxyl groups in pectin and Fe 3 O 4 , indicating successful incorporation of pectin into the nanoparticles. Pectin‐coated (Fe 3 O 4 @Pect) and uncoated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle sizes were determined to be 11.55 and 5.20 nm, respectively, with surface areas of 52 and 71 m 2 /g. Electrocatalytic performance toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was assessed using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under near‐acidic and alkaline environments. The catalytic activity showed dependence on pH, which influenced current densities and stability. The findings suggest that the performance of Fe 3 O 4 @Pect is governed by pectin stability and surface transformations under alkaline conditions, which improved performance. This work presents pectin as a sustainable material to improve the stability and catalytic efficiency of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles for HER.