Skip to main content

One-Step Dry Coating of Hybrid ZnO–WO3 Nanosheet Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Composition-Dependent Performance

Research Abstract

In this study, the potential of zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide (WO3), and their composites (ZnO–WO3) as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting was investigated. ZnO–WO3 nanocomposites (NCs) were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates at room temperature using a one-step dry coating process, the nanoparticle deposition system, with no post-processes. Different compositions of ZnO–WO3 NCs were optimized to enhance the kinetics of the PEC water-splitting reaction. Surface morphology analysis revealed the transformation of microsized particle nanosheets (NS) powder into nanosized particle nanosheets (NS) across all photoanodes. The optical characteristics of ZnO–WO3 photoanodes were scrutinized using diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. Of all the hybrid photoanodes tested, the photoanode containing 10 wt.% WO3 exhibited the lowest bandgap of 3.20 eV and the lowest emission intensity, indicating an enhanced separation of photogenerated carriers and solar energy capture. The photoelectrochemical results showed a 10% increase in the photocurrent with increasing WO3 content in ZnO–WO3 NCs, which is attributed to improved charge transfer kinetics and carrier segregation. The maximum photocurrent for a NC, i.e., 10 wt.% WO3, was recorded at 0.133 mA·cm−2 at 1.23V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The observed improvement in photocurrent was nearly 22 times higher than pure WO3 nanosheets and 7.3 times more than that of pure ZnO nanosheets, indicating the composition-dependence of PEC performance, where the synergy requirement strongly relies on utilizing the optimal ZnO–WO3 ratio in the hybrid NCs

Research Authors
MuhammadShehrozeMalik; Deepto Roy; Doo-ManChun; and A.G.Abd-Elrahim
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Micromachines
Research Pages
2189
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
International Journal
Research Vol
14
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/12/2189
Research Year
2023

Realizing the topological rainbow based on cavity-coupled topological edge state

Research Authors
Naglaa AbdelAll, Mohamed Almokhtar, Ghada Khouqeer, Sayed El Soliman
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Optics & Laser Technology
Research Vol
171
Research Year
2024

Effect of ZnO Nanofiller on Structural and Electrochemical Performance Improvement of Solid Polymer Electrolytes Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol–Cellulose Acetate–Potassium Carbonate Composites

Research Authors
John Ojur Dennis, Mohammed Khalil Mohammed Ali, Khalid Hassan Ibnaouf, Osama Aldaghri, Naglaa FM Abdel All, Abdullahi Abbas Adam, Fahad Usman, Yarima Mudassir Hassan, Bashir Abubakar Abdulkadir
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Molecules
Research Vol
27
Research Year
2022

Innovative methylcellulose-polyvinyl pyrrolidone-based solid polymer electrolytes impregnated with potassium salt: ion conduction and thermal properties

Research Authors
Abdullahi Abbas Adam, Mohammed Khalil Mohammed Ali, John Ojur Dennis, Hassan Soleimani, Muhammad Fadhlullah Bin Abd Shukur, Khalid Hassan Ibnaouf, Osamah A Aldaghri, Moez A Ibrahem, Naglaa FM Abdel All, Abubakar Bashir Abdulkadir
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Polymers
Research Vol
14
Research Year
2022

Bibliometric research analysis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs): evidence and research activity dynamics

Research Authors
Nikolaos Mittas, Despina A Gkika, Konstantinos Georgiou, Abdullah N Alodhayb, Naglaa AbdelAll, Ghada A Khouqeer, George Z Kyzas
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Research Year
2023

Super-hydrophobic chitosan/graphene-based aerogels for oil absorption

Research Authors
Konstantinos N Maroulas, Dimitrios G Trikkaliotis, Zoi S Metaxa, Naglaa AbdelAll, Abdullah Alodhayb, Ghada A Khouqeer, George Z Kyzas
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Journal of Molecular Liquids
Research Vol
390
Research Year
2023

Responses of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) to Single and Consortium Bio-Fertilizers in Clay and Newly Reclaimed Soils

Research Abstract

The huge development of climatic change highly affects our crop production and soil
fertility. Also, the rise in the uncontrolled, excessive use of chemical fertilizers diminishes the soil
prosperity and generates pollutants, threatening all environmental life forms, including us. Replace-
ment of these chemical fertilizers with natural ones is becoming an inevitable environmental strategy.
In our study, we evaluated the responses of Pisum sativum L. to the action of single species and
consortiums of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, and
Bacillus cerkularice) in clay and new reclaimed soil types in terms of phenotype, yield components, and
physiological and biochemical responses. Data analysis showed single or consortium microbial inoc-
ulation significantly increased the measured traits under clay and calcareous sandy soils compared
to the control. Shoot physiological and biochemical activities, and seed biochemical activities were
significantly enhanced with the inoculation of pea seeds with three types of bacteria in both soil types.
The bud numbers, fresh weight, and seeds’ dry weight increased in seeds treated with A. chroococcum
and B. megaterium in the sandy soil. Taken together, these findings suggested that the inoculation of
plants with PGP bacteria could be used to diminish the implementation of chemical fertilizer and
improve the goodness of agricultural products. These findings expand the understanding of the
responsive mechanism of microbial inoculation under different soil types, especially at physiological
and biochemical levels.

Research Authors
Ghada Abd-Elmonsef Mahmoud 1,* , Amany H. A. Abeed 1 , Hassan H. A. Mostafa 2 and Omaima Abdel Monsef
Research Date
Research Journal
Plants
Research Member
Research Pages
3931
Research Publisher
@ MPDI
Research Rank
International Q1
Research Vol
12
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/23/3931
Research Year
2023

Accuracy evaluation in temperature-dependent EXAFS measurements of CdTe

Research Authors
N Abd el All, B Thiodjio Sendja, Rolly Grisenti, Francesco Rocca, D Diop, O Mathon, S Pascarelli, Paolo Fornasini
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
Research Vol
20
Research Year
2013
Subscribe to