Efficient electrocatalytic water splitting performance of an SrTiO3/g-C3N4 composite for hydrogen evolution in an acidic medium

Abstract

Water splitting is a research field that possesses a high scope for the generation of non-polluting and sustainable energy. In this study, an SrTiO₃/g-C₃N₄ heterostructure composite is fabricated to boost the catalytic efficacy for the HER applications. The SrTiO₃/g-C₃N₄ heterostructure composite was prepared via a hydrothermal technique by combining strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) nanopowders with 2D graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). The formation of the composite heterostructure between SrTiO₃ and g-C₃N₄ was confirmed using XRD, SEM, and UV and Raman spectroscopies. The synergy between SrTiO₃ and g-C₃N₄ played a key role in enhancing the catalytic efficacy. By combining the unique aspects of SrTiO₃ and g-C₃N₄, the fabricated heterostructure composite achieved a low overpotential of 321 mV and a Tafel slope of 192 mV dec⁻¹, indicating improved HER activity and thereby making it an effective catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The stability of the heterostructure composite was explored for prolonged reaction periods, and by using this composite, hydrogen generation was realized in a sustainable and efficient manner. This strategy is a promising approach to clean and renewable hydrogen generation.