Promising electrochemical catalytic steel electrodes structure coated by ZnO films for water treatment and water-splitting applications

This work introduces a newly designed electrochemical catalytic steel electrode coated with ZnO films based on a shape inspired by a double-walled carbon nanotube for water treatment and water-splitting applications. The proposed electrode structure shows high electrochemical catalytic degradation activity compared to other electrode structures. The rate constant of the electrocatalytic degradation of methyl orange is 0.03 s(-1), and the half-life time of the electrocatalyst degradation was about 23 min. The efficiency of the new structure was tested by examining its efficiency for electrochemical water splitting. The input, dissipated, evaporated, and splitting energies, in addition to the electrochemical efficiency of our electrode, were investigated and interpreted. Water-splitting efficiency of the new electrode structure shows higher activity and efficiency in the electrochemical catalytic degradation compared to other electrode structures. Finally, the newly configured electrode's structural, chemical, and electrical parameters were investigated to reveal improved electrochemical and water-splitting efficiencies.

Automated summary

This study presents a newly designed electrochemical catalytic steel electrode coated with ZnO films, inspired by the shape of a double-walled carbon nanotube, for water treatment and water-splitting applications. Compared to other electrode structures, the proposed electrode structure exhibits high electrochemical catalytic degradation activity and water-splitting efficiency.