Situ preparation of N-ZnO/graphene nanocomposites: excellent candidate as a photocatalyst for enhanced solar hydrogen generation and high performance supercapacitor electrode

TitleSitu preparation of N-ZnO/graphene nanocomposites: excellent candidate as a photocatalyst for enhanced solar hydrogen generation and high performance supercapacitor electrode
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsBhirud, AP, Sathaye, S, Waichal, R, Park, C-J, Kale, B
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume3
Issue33
Pagination17050-17063
Date PublishedJUL
ISSN2050-7488
Abstract

We have demonstrated a facile in situ wet chemical method to synthesize nanostructured nitrogen doped ZnO/Graphene (N-ZnO/GR) nanocomposites for the first time. Nitrogen doped ZnO over graphene (N-ZnO/GR) was studied using various concentrations of graphene. During the synthesis of N-ZnO/GR nanocomposites, in situ formation of graphene via GO reduction and formation of 4-9 nm N-ZnO have been demonstrated. The composite N-ZnO/GR absorbs in the visible region and this property is used for the photocatalytic reaction to transform hazardous H2S waste into eco-friendly hydrogen using solar light. The N-ZnO/GR nanocomposite with 0.3% graphene exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic stable hydrogen production rate i.e. similar to 5072 mu mol h(-1) under visible light irradiation. It is noteworthy that the N-ZnO/GR electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 555 F g(-1) and excellent cyclic performance with nearly 96.20% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g(-1). These results indicate great potential applications of N-ZnO/GR in developing high hydrogen production and supercapacitors with high energy and power densities.

DOI10.1039/c5ta03955j
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)8.262
Divison category: 
Polymer Science & Engineering