Rasheed-Adeleke, Azeezat A.Yusuf, Tunde LewisFayemi, Omolola E.Seheri, Naledi H.Oyewo, Opeyemi A.Ferjani, HelaOnwudiwe, Damian C.2025-10-162025-10-162025-11Rasheed-Adeleke, A.A., Yusuf, T.L., Fayemi, O.E. et al. 2025, 'Study of structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of Zn-doped hematite nanoparticles', Inorganic Chemistry Communications, vol. 181, art. 115138, pp. 1-10, doi : 10.1016/j.inoche.2025.115138. doi : 16/j.inoche.2025.1151381387-7003 (print)1879-0259 (online)10.1016/j.inoche.2025.115138http://hdl.handle.net/2263/104732DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.Hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) is a promising material for oxygen evolution reactions but is limited by poor conductivity and rapid charge recombination. This study explores zinc-doped hematite (ZFO) nanoparticles synthesised at 700, 800, and 900 °C to enhance these properties. The Zn doping improved conductivity and optical properties, while the calcination temperature influenced structural and electrochemical characteristics. ZFO nanoparticles were integrated into screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPC-ZFO) and evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). CV revealed diffusion-controlled electron transfer with strong linearity (R2 ≈ 0.99), and SPC-ZFO electrodes showed higher current responses than bare electrodes, indicating enhanced surface reactivity. EIS results confirmed improved electron mobility, particularly for SPC-ZFO calcined at 900 °C. These findings highlight the role of zinc doping and thermal treatment in optimizing hematite for energy and environmental applications. HIGHLIGHTS • Zn-doped α-Fe₂O₃ (ZFO) was synthesised at varying temps. (700, 800, and 900 °C) • The structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of ZFO were studied. • Zinc doping enhances hematite's conductivity and addresses its inherent limitations. • SPC-ZFO electrodes showed higher current responses than bare electrodes in cyclic voltammetry. • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed improved electron mobility at 900 °C. • The study demonstrates the potential of ZFO nanomaterials for Advanced materials applications.en© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).HematiteScreen-printed carbon electrodesCyclic voltammetryElectronic structurHydrothermal synthesisArticle