Tuning of electrocatalytic activity of WO3-TiO2 nanocomposite electrode for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

The study reports the synthesis of mesoporous WO3-TiO2 nanocomposite with tuned particle size (similar to 7 nm), pore diameter (similar to 4.9 nm), specific surface area (SBET = 129.112 m(2)/g) and pore volume (Vtot = 0.185 cm(3)/g) by an acid catalyzed peptization method, and its utilization for the development of stable catalytic electrode with enhanced activity towards alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The SEM and AFM analyses confirm the formation of good quality composite electrodes with improved surface roughness through electroless deposition method. The developed WO3-TiO2 nanocomposite electrode exhibits low overpotential value of 120 mV with an exchange current density of 6.20 x 10(-5) mA/cm(2), and a low Tafel slope value of 98 mV/dec. Apart from the high HER performance, the developed WO3-TiO2 nanocomposite electrode exhibits competency with the state-of-the-art electrode materials for alkaline HER in industrial processes with sustained catalytic activity, tolerance behavior and long-term stability. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.