Ag-NiP deposited green carbon channel embedded NiP panels for sustainable water splitting

Ag-NiP-deposited carbon channels on NiP panels were successfully developed through lemon juice extract (Ag-CL/NiP) and citric acid (Ag-CC/NiP)-assisted methodologies. The methods involved the precise execution of electroless deposition of the advanced Ag-carbon matrix with NiP. The lemon juice-assisted method produced carbon channels with a dense concentration of Ag-NiP on the electrode surface, whereas the citric acid method resulted in a less dense deposition of Ag-NiP on the electrode surface, as observed via FE-SEM. The Ag-CL/NiP has remarkably higher electro- and photocatalytic water splitting performance due to the compact and conductive Ag-NiP connected with carbon channels. Electrochemical impedance analysis of Ag-CL/NiP revealed a low R ct of 491.3 Ω at the open circuit potential, indicating enhanced conductivity. The electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotential of Ag-CL/NiP was 401 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm −2 , with a Tafel slope of 46.5 mV dec −1 . The panel exhibited good stability, with a proven durability of over 1000 cycles of CV during OER. The developed panel achieved an impressive photocurrent density of ∼9.5 mA cm −2 at 1.37 V vs. RHE when subjected to light irradiation with a wavelength exceeding 420 nm. Furthermore, the Ag-CL/NiP panel demonstrated the ability to generate 17.5 mmol cm −2 of H 2 over a 4-hour sunlight irradiation period. The temperature-controlled photocatalytic water splitting experiment revealed that the panel maintained its activity at temperatures as low as ∼12 °C, but with a 40% drop in efficiency compared to normal sunlight conditions. Ag-NiP-deposited carbon channels on NiP panels were successfully developed through lemon juice extract (Ag-CL/NiP) and citric acid (Ag-CC/NiP)-assisted methodologies for photo and electrocatalytic water splitting.