Cyclic Voltammetry-Assisted enhancement of water splitting activity in nanostructured WO3 catalysts through structural evolution and Pt substitution

Abstract

Efficient electrochemical water splitting is crucial for sustainable energy solutions. This study examined how structural changes in nanostructured WO3 catalysts enhance their water splitting activity. After synthesis and periodic cycling, the catalysts evolved from a monoclinic to a monoclinic/hexagonal structure, creating surface vacancies that allowed Pt substitution. A Pt content of about 1.1 % was noted in the C800 sample post-cycling. This structural evolution combined with Pt substitution significantly improved catalyst performance. These insights advance the design of WO3 catalysts and deepen our understanding of their activity. The findings highlight the potential of nanostructured WO3 catalysts in developing efficient green energy solutions and suggest new directions for research in sustainable energy technologies.