Dual-function akaganeite (β-FeOOH) a photo-Fenton system for hydrogen generation and pollutant degradation

The global transition towards sustainable energy requires novel innovative hydrogen (H 2 ) generation techniques. This research work introduces a method utilizing β-FeOOH (akaganeite), derived from copious iron oxide waste via a controlled hydrothermal process for H 2 generation. Reaction temperature was found to be the most significant factor for controlling the efficiency of the photocatalyst. Despite its intrinsic constraints under the visible spectrum, a photo-Fenton method enables efficient UV-induced H 2 generation. The optimized photocatalyst attained impressive H 2 generation up to 323 μmol/g under UV spectrum. Furthermore, under visible light spectrum the same optimized photocatalyst has significant effectiveness in detoxifying organic contaminants. Experimentation on rhodamine B (RhB) dye revealed a degradation rate of up to 89% with exceptional stability. The catalytic mechanism is driven by reactive species generated in situ. This investigation highlights a cost-effective dual-purpose utilization of iron oxyhydroxides, offering a scalable solution for clean energy and pollutant degradation.