ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Green hydrogen photoelectrochemically produced from Red Sea water using a photocathode dichalcogenides (CoS₂)-CoO/Poly-2-aminothiophenol nanocomposite with moon-like shape

Mohamed Rabia, Eman Aldosari, and Qinfang Zhang

Nanomaterials Science Research Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

E-mail: mohamedchem@science.bsu.edu.eg

Received: 5 February 2024  Accepted: 19 April 2024

Abstract:

A nanocomposite thin film with a moon-like structural configuration, comprised of dichalcogenides (CoS₂)-CoO/Poly-2-aminothiophenol (CoS₂-CoO/P2ATP), is synthesized utilizing a Co(NO₃)₂ and K₂S₂O₈-driven oxidation polymerization reaction. This nanocomposite boasts impressive morphological characteristics, coupled with a noteworthy optical feature characterized by a bandgap of 1.95 eV. Hydrogen generation tests are conducted using eco-friendly, cost-effective, and readily available Red Sea water, without the need for any additional electrolytes. These experiments are conducted under various optical conditions, and the resulting J_ph values are employed as an indicator of hydrogen generation efficiency. The J_ph value experiences a substantial increase, transitioning from − 0.092 to − 0.13 mA/cm² when moving from darkness to light conditions. Furthermore, under monochromatic light, the J_ph values exhibit a discernible pattern, declining from − 0.175 to − 0.122 mA cm⁻² as the wavelength increases from 340 to 540 nm. The consistent stability of the photocurrent for a duration of 1200 s underscores the exceptional stability and reproducibility of this photocathode in facilitating the hydrogen generation reaction. Moreover, elevating the temperature from 30 to 50 °C leads to a notable augmentation in the generated J_ph, with values rising from − 0.13 to − 0.2 mA/cm², respectively. This variation allows for the estimation of the reaction's heat, revealing a ΔH value of − 15.2 kJ/mol, indicating a spontaneous reaction and high hydrogen generation efficiency. This groundbreaking study paves the way for industrial applications of the polymer nanocomposite, enabling efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly green hydrogen generation from Red Sea water.

Keywords: Green hydrogen; Red Sea water; Photocathode; Dichalcogenides; CoS2; CoO; Poly-2-aminothiophenol; Nanocomposite

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-024-03478-3

Chemical Papers 78 (9) 5393–5405 (2024)