1. Investigation of electrochemical performance of an efficient Ti2O3–CeO2 nanocomposite for enhanced pollution-free energy conversion applications.
- Author
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Swathi, S., Yuvakkumar, R., Kumar, P. Senthil, Ravi, G., and Velauthapillai, Dhayalan
- Subjects
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ENERGY conversion , *OXYGEN evolution reactions , *NANOCOMPOSITE materials , *OXIDATION of water , *X-ray spectra - Abstract
The development of an economical, abundant, stable, and greatly active electrocatalyst for water oxidation is extremely important for future energy conversion system. Electrochemical water splitting is a new move toward H 2 and O 2 gas production. It can be used in sustainable and pollution-free energy conversion applications. In this work, Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized with different molar ratios by facile hydrothermal method for electrochemical water oxidation. Mixed phase structure of Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction spectra and well identified by highest peak of Ti 2 O 3 in 2θ values of 33.0 and CeO 2 in 2θ values of 28.5. The characteristic peaks from Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy further confirmed Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposite formation. Existence of multidimensional nanostructures such as nanoparticles and small nanocubes of Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscope images. Mesoporous nature of Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites was further analyzed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The high surface area could benefit the Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites with greatly improved oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. In three molar ratios, 1:3 M ratios of Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites showed high catalytic action at overpotential of 244 mV. The best OER electrocatalyst was obtained by 1:3 M ratios of Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 nanocomposites, which exhibited high current density and high specific capacitance values of 238 mA/g and 517 F/g, respectively. Therefore, Ti/Ce molar ratio played a crucial role in enhancing the OER performance. • 1:3 M ratio Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 showed high catalytic action with 244 mV overpotential. • OER electrocatalyst exhibited 238 mA/g current density and 517 F/g specific capacitance. • In 16 h CA, 1:3 ratio Ti 2 O 3 –CeO 2 exhibited 184 mA/g current density with 78% retention. • Molar ratio of Ti/Ce participate crucial responsibility to enhance OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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