Synthesis and photoelectrochemical performance of Co doped SrTiO₃ nanostructures photoanode

Abstract It is pertinent to realize that scientific research indicates that the most promising method for producing H 2 is photo electrochemical water splitting through a photo anode. Cobalt‐doped SrTiO 3 (Co‐SrTiO 3 ) composite nanostructures were created in this study via hydrothermal synthesis. The impact of cobalt concentration change on Co‐SrTiO 3 has been identified using morphological, structural, and photo electrochemical research. Surface morphology of pure SrTiO 3 nanoparticles using SEM and TEM reveals that the particles are intermittently agglomerated. The inclusion of Cobalt lowered the particle size of the nanostructures to 23 nm than pure SrTiO 3 (41 nm). In addition, the peak profile has been influenced by cubic phase also identified from the x‐ray diffraction analysis. The purity and composition of the materials were revealed by XPS analysis. The Co‐SrTiO 3 composite's produced the best charge transfer and recombination capabilities at 3% Co doping, according to electrochemical chemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy. At 0.2 V applied potential, the obtained 3% Co‐doped SrTiO 3 photoanode system displays a photocurrent density of around 3.45 mA/cm 2 . The outcomes show that a promising application for the Co‐doped SrTiO 3 photoanode in photoelectrochemical water splitting.