Bacterial nanocellulose as a green and flexible electrode matrix for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline conditions

Abstract

Bacterial nanocellullose (BNC) is a versatile matrix for designing and incorporating three-dimensional functional nanomaterials for different applications. The present study describes the fabrication of a flexible catalytic electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction using nanocellulose derived from Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans. By simple electroless deposition, the BNC is transformed into a conductive flexible substrate. On the subsequent electrodeposition process in a solution of Ni and Mo, the conductive BNC made into an active electrode for hydrogen (H2) generation. The highly nano-porous architecture and binder-free nature of the BNC electrode enhances the surface active sites and exhibit an excellent catalytic hydrogen production in alkaline conditions. Electrochemical studies show that the NiMoO4/BNC electrode to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 requires an overpotential of 109 mV with a Tafel slope of 170 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH. Moreover, the electrode demonstrates good stability in the alkaline medium during prolonged electrolysis for 48 h. The study offers the fabrication of BNC based electrode for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen production and promoting the usage of green materials in renewable energy technologies.