NaNbO3 particles in hydrogen production from water electrolysis: Influence of the particle morphology

Resumo

This work explores an alternative method for producing green hydrogen through water electrolysis. We employed NaNbO3 fiber-like particles as electrodes in an alkaline medium. The fibers were obtained through conventional thermal treatment at 550 °C for 240 minutes from the Na2Nb2O6·H2O metastable phase, previously synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The synthesis of Na2Nb2O6·H2O was conducted at 160 ºC for 40 minutes. Electrodes were prepared by dropping a suspension containing NaNbO3 fibers onto a glassy carbon electrode. We compared the use of pure NaNbO3 with NaNbO3 combined with Vulcan carbon. Both conditions demonstrated activity for hydrogen production; however, NaNbO3 combined with Vulcan carbon yielded a higher current density.