An Advanced Quaternary Composite for Efficient Water Splitting

Abstract

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising pathway for effective hydrogen (H2) evolution in energy conversion and storage, with electrocatalysis playing a key role. Developing efficient, cost-effective and stable catalysts or electrocatalysts is critical for hydrogen evolution from water splitting. Herein, we evaluated a graphene-modified nanoparticle catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalytic H2 production rate of reduced graphene oxide-titanium oxide-nickel oxide-zinc oxide (rGO–TiO2–NiO–ZnO) is high and exceeds that obtained on components alone. This improvement is due to the presence of rGO as an electron collector and transporter. Moreover, a current density of 10 mA/cm2 was recorded at a reduced working potential of 365 mV for the nanocomposite. The electronic coupling effect between the nanoparticle components at the interface causes the nanoparticle's hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic activity. Graphical Abstract

Water Splitting as an Alternative for Electrochemical Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation: Current Status, Trends, and Challenges

“…It is known that green hydrogen can be produced by water electrolysis or water splitting using the excess of electrical energy from renewable sources such as solar panels or wind turbines, but this requires effective and durable electrode materials with high electrochemical activity [10,11]. In this context, the scientific community has devoted much effort to developing new promising methods to fabricate electrodes with remarkable properties [12][13][14][15]. Electrocatalytic materials play a 2 of 25 critical role in the transition to the hydrogen economy because they can reduce the required energy to achieve the anodic and cathodic reactions in the water splitting process [16][17][18].…”

Facile Preparation of SnO2/CuO Nanocomposites as Electrocatalysts for Energy-Efficient Hybrid Water Electrolysis in the Presence of Ethanol

“…As well established, OER is a four-step process, and the adsorption and dissociation of OHand OOHspecies are the rate-determining steps [12], which limit the overall efficiency of fuel cells and metal-air batteries [13]. To overcome these drawbacks, various electrocatalytic materials, such as noble metals, metal chalcogenides, ceramic composites, metal oxides, and hydroxides have been proposed to decrease the activation energy for the OER during water electrolysis [14][15][16].…”

“…Among them, SnO 2 -based composites demonstrate good versatility because they are n-type wide bandgap semiconductors with good chemical stability and affinity for bridge functional groups [17]. Unfortunately, this single material presents a poor activity for Energies 2023, 16, 4986 2 of 14 the most studied electrochemical process, which precludes its widespread application in cutting-edge technologies. To this end, many proposals have been made to overcome the limitations of this semiconductive material, such as incorporating other chemical elements by creating functional defects in its crystal structure or improving its electrical conductivity [18,19].…”