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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

Sulfite is a common food additive that prevents oxidation from damaging food nutrients, and it has long been used in the food industry as a bleaching agent. It can harm the human body if taken wrongly or excessively. In this study, three dyes (cresol red, chlorophenol red, and bromocresol green) were explored to analyze the presence of sodium sulfite (SS) in an inexpensive, disposable paper sensor with a lower visible detection limit of 0.05 M. This visual paper sensor detects sodium sulfite with high selectivity and sensitivity at room temperature. An IoT-based sensor was also developed to practically apply the developed method, which is rapid and low-cost and can replace heavy-duty instruments. Both these sensors can substantially impact scenarios such as food quality monitoring and detecting sodium sulfite in medicinal items. Graphical Abstract