Hydrothermal architecture of Bi0.48Tb1.52Ti2O7/polyaniline nanocomposites to improve electrochemical hydrogen storage performance

Abstract

Today, with the emergence of new technologies and the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure such as hydrogen, the discussion of energy security and the promotion of active materials for advanced hydrogen storage has an important place. For this purpose, in this research, an important strategy was designed to develop the electrochemical performance of electroactive materials Bi0.48Tb1.52Ti2O7 (BTTO) nanostructure was prepared through a hydrothermal route in the presence of fructose as a biotemplate agent. To achieve the desired chemical composition and to optimize the size and morphology, the reaction temperature was changed. The effect of polyaniline conductive polymer to improve hydrogen storage capacity was studied by introducing two composites. The structural characteristics, dimensions, and porosity of the products were investigated through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). In the following, the potential of pristine Bi0.48Tb1.52Ti2O7 nanoparticles and Bi0.48Tb1.52Ti2O7/Polyaniline (BTTO/PANI) nanocomposites in the direction of hydrogen storage were evaluated through CV, EIS and CP techniques. BTTO/PANI nanocomposites showed a discharge capacity of 1223 mAhg−1 after 15 cycles. This study showed the potential effect of PANI in terms of improving conductivity and providing more charge transfer channels for hydrogen transfer.