Block copolymer-mediated synthesis of TiO2/RuO2 nanocomposite for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

An amphiphilic block copolymer, poly (styrene-2-polyvinyl pyridine-ethylene oxide), was used as a structure-directing and stabilizing agent to synthesize TiO2/RuO2 nanocomposite. The strong interaction of polymers with metal precursors led to formation of a porous heterointerface of TiO2/RuO2. It acted as a bridge for electron transport, which can accelerate the water splitting reaction. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis of TiO2/RuO2 samples revealed successful fabrication of TiO2/RuO2 nanocomposites. The TiO2/RuO2 nanocomposites were used to measure electrochemical water splitting in three-electrode systems in 0.1-M KOH. Electrochemical activities unveil that TiO2/RuO2-150 nanocomposites displayed superior oxygen evolution reaction activity, having a low overpotential of 260 mV with a Tafel slope of 80 mVdec−1. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)