Bifunctional Multiferroic GdCrO3 Nanoassemblies for Sustainable H-2 Production Using Electro- and Photocatalysis

In the realm of energy storage and conversion powered by electro- or photocatalysts, tremendous efforts are devoted on producing effective and long-lasting oxide catalysts. Here, we demonstrate multiferroic GdCrO3 nanoassemblies synthesized using a solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and XPS studies confirm the orthorhombic formation of GdCrO3. Scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows the formation of nanoassemblies. Ferroelectric study reveals the remnant polarization of 2.36 mu C cm(-2) and oxygen vacancies. In an alkaline media, GdCrO3 nanoassemblies act as an efficacious and resilient oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst by showing superior specific activity. Photocatalytic H2 evolution studies show a high H-2 evolution rate of 2 mmol h(-1) gcat(-1) and an apparent quantum yield of 23.2%. The mechanism for significant H2 generation is established by internal electric field-associated charge transfer, as confirmed by XPS measurements.

Automated summary

In this study, multiferroic GdCrO3 nanoassemblies were synthesized using a solvothermal method for efficient and long-lasting oxide catalysts in energy storage and conversion. XRD and XPS studies confirmed the orthorhombic structure formation of GdCrO3. Scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of nanoassemblies. Ferroelectric study revealed the remnant polarization of 2.36 mu C cm(-2). In alkaline media, GdCrO3 nanoassemblies acted as an efficacious and resilient oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst by showing superior specific activity. Photocatalytic H2 evolution studies demonstrated a high H-2 evolution rate of 2 mmol h(-1) gcat(-1) and an apparent quantum yield of 23.2%. XPS measurements confirmed the mechanism of significant H2 generation through internal electric field-associated charge transfer.