Abstract

Background Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an electrochemical process for achieving sustainable energy by environment friendly process. To enhance the HER activity, perovskite BaTiO3 oxides are explored as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic solutions. The g-C3N4 is a cost-effective, stable, and property tunable catalyst with electrocatalytic properties suitable for HER. This study intends to utilize the advantages of both these by forming the BaTiO3/g-C3N4 composite, to enhance the electrocatalytic properties. Method The g-C3N4 and BaTiO3 were blended successfully through an annealing process. Various characterization methods, like XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV, and Raman, confirms the formation of BaTiO3/g-C3N4 composite. Electrochemical analysis for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) demonstrated enhanced properties for the BaTiO3/g-C3N4 composite with different weight percentages. Significant findings BaTiO3 with 1 wt % g-C3N4 composite exhibit low overpotential value of 254 mV and Tafel slope with 205 mV/dec. The same sample exhibits enhanced performance in HER activity proving it to be worth investigating more on these 2D incorporated perovskite materials for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. The observed enhanced electrocatalytic performance of the BaTiO3/g-C3N4 composite is attributed to the synergistic effects of BaTiO3 and g-C3N4 creating a new pathway for the development of inexpensive and efficient electrocatalysts.

Karunakaran M

Research Scholar

My research focuses on exploring the electronic and magnetic properties of disordered Heusler alloys.

Rudra Banerjee

Assistant Professor, Computational Condensed Matter

My research interests include Computational Physics, disordered materials and thermodynamics.