Facile synthesis and electrochemical hydrogen storage of bentonite/TiO2/Au nanocomposite

In this study, the electrochemical hydrogen storage of bentonite composites containing TiO2 and Au nanoparticles (NPs) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. TiO2 NPs were first deposited on the bentonite substrate by reflux technique. Au NPs were then prepared by laser ablation in liquid (LAL) method under different laser irradiation times (6, 12, and 18 min), and utilized in the decoration of bentonite/TiO2 nanocomposite by physical mixing. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and elemental mapping were carried out in the characterization of the prepared bentonite/TiO2/Au nanocomposite. The surface and chemical properties of the acquired nanocomposite were analyzed by BrunauerEmmett-Teller and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Electrochemical measurement was performed on stainless steel mesh prefabricated electrodes in 1 M KOH electrolyte solution. The B-T/Au nanocomposite prepared under 12 min laser irradiation displayed the highest hydrogen storage capacity (15 Cg(-1)). (c) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.