COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PT-TIO2 THIN FILMS, FABRICATED UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL WATER SPLITTING FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Abstract

The research investigates Pt-TiO2 thin film fabrication for electrochemical water splitting to produce hydrogen. Considering Pt's role as a benchmark catalyst, its scarcity and high cost drive the exploration of alternative approaches. Thin film technology emerges as a promising solution due to its minimal material usage and controlled deposition process. Post-deposition treatments, including intense pulsed ion beam irradiation and oven-based annealing, were employed to reduce Pt particle size and ensure uniform distribution, thereby mitigating the coffee ring effect and enhancing catalytic activity. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) analysis confirms significant enhancement of catalytic activity of prepared electrode as compared to pure Pt, with irradiated samples exhibiting slightly superior performance than oven annealed sample, attributed to smaller particle production under irradiated conditions. The superior catalytic activity of irradiated samples contributes to advancements in electrocatalysis and energy conversion technologies, presenting optimized Pt-TiO2 thin films as a viable solution for industrial-scale hydrogen production. This research addresses challenges posed by Pt scarcity,cost, particle size and unequal distribution as well as comparing the effect of different post deposition treatment, offering insights into improving electrochemical water splitting efficiency and scalability.