Bifunctional Tio2-Reduced Graphene Oxide (Rgo) Binary Nanohybrids Based As Photo-Electrocatalysts In Both Acidic And Alkaline Medium: Electrochemical, Optical And Structural Insight

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

The detailed insights related to the structural and electrochemical interactions is pivotal to understanding the chemistry and kinematics of electrode materials for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. To address this, present study focuses on synthesis and characterization of TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) nanohybrids along with monitoring their electrochemical performance in acidic and alkaline mediums, under dark as well as light illumination for bifunctional PEC water splitting. The Mott-Schottky (M-S), Tafel, EIS, CV, and LSV measurements were performed for 3-electrode in both KOH and H2SO4 electrolytes under dark and light illumination. M-S tests showed 10.5 % drop in the flat band potential due to the RGO functional sites interacting with TiO2, which promotes the delayed recombination of charge carriers conferred through the reduction in the optical energy gap by 4 % for TiO2-RGO nanohybrids. Enhanced hydrogen and oxygen evolution processes through decrease in onset potential, decline in Tafel Slope (β) values in each electrolyte and reduction in oxidation and reduction potentials to 0.13 ± 0.02 V and 0.08 ± 0.02 V (vs RHE), respectively were observed for nanohybrids. Chronoamperometry (CA) and long-term CV measurements depicts the good stability of the prepared photo electrode in both alkaline as well as acidic environment. Thus, the prepared nanohybrids shows boosted carriers' longevity at the interface, and hence provides proof-of-concept of an advantageous material for electrodes suitable for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Publication Title

Materials Science and Engineering B

Volume

323

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