Imidazole-Assisted Water Splitting: A Novel Approach To Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Over Cerium Doped Titanium Oxide Composite

Authors

• Md Nurnobi Islam, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
• Amir Fayaz, University of Jammu
• Mohammad Imran Hossain, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
• Md Mosaraf Hossain, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
• Nazmul Hosen, College of Arts and Sciences
• Nayan Ranjan Singha, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal
• Shrikant S. Maktedar, National Institute of Technology Srinagar
• Mehdi Akermi, Jazan University
• Rym Hassani, Jazan University
• Mohammad A. Hasnat, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-21-2026

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

The pursuit of renewable clean energy resources has driven extensive research into the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) nowadays. Here, we have introduced a Ce-doped TiO2 electrocatalyst prepared via sol-gel method, demonstrating its capability as an excellent catalyst compared to the noble metal Pt for HER in an alkaline imidazole solution. Evaluating its electrochemical performance, we found that the GC-2at.%CeTiO2 catalyst surpassed the Pt electrode. The HER onset potential at GC-2at.%CeTiO2 is 0.20 V vs. RHE, which is a significant improvement over Pt ((Formula presented) 0.05 V). Impressively, it needed a considerably lower overpotential of 318 mV for reaching 5 mA cm−2 current density, compared to Pt (631 mV). Electrokinetic parameters, for instance, Tafel slope, exchange current density (jk) and, turnover frequency (TOF) were calculated to be 121 mV dec−1, 1.148 mA cm−2, and 0.015 s−1, consecutively, that surpassed those of noble Pt electrode in this study (397 mV dec−1, 0.487 mA cm−2, and 0.014 s−1 respectively). This improvement is credited to an increased electroactive surface area and a synergistic interaction linking the electronic state of the Ce and TiO2 matrix. DFT analysis revealed that the Ce3+ ion coordinated with the N–H group of imidazole, leading to elongation and weakening of the N–H bond. This structural modification facilitated the dissociation of the N–H bond, enabling the formation of hydrogen radicals and promoting efficient hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrated remarkable electrochemical stability under operating conditions. These findings provide valuable insight into the HER mechanism within an imidazole-mediated system and highlight the potential of Ce3+-imidazole interactions in advancing non-precious metal-based electrocatalysis.

Publication Title

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Volume

227

Recommended Citation

Islam, M., Fayaz, A., Hossain, M., Hossain, M., Hosen, N., Singha, N., Maktedar, S., Akermi, M., Hassani, R., Hasnat, M. (2026). Imidazole-Assisted Water Splitting: A Novel Approach To Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Over Cerium Doped Titanium Oxide Composite. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 227.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22026