Boost the photocatalytic hydrogen production of the nanocomposites conducting polypyrrole modified with metal oxide (CuO)

This study explores the use of a PPy/CuO nanocomposite films for photocatalytic hydrogen production from wastewater, which is a significant avenue for solar energy applications. The photocatalyst is prepared using a simple in situ polymerization method on a glass substrate, and is found to exhibit high photocatalytic H2 evolution activity without the need for any co-catalyst. The structure of the PPy and CuO components is confirmed through XRD, TEM, FTIR and XPS analyses. The SEM indicates that CuO nanoparticles cause a homogenous PPy morphology due to the reduction of the accumulation by incorporation of CuO in PPy. The composite is found to have optical absorption spectra covering the UV, Vis, and near IR regions, with a band gap of 1.92 eV making it suitable as a photoelectrode for hydrogen production. The effect of light/dark, on/off chopped light, and monochromatic wavelengths on the photocatalytic activity is studied, and the electrode is found to exhibit a strong response to light under different monochromatic wavelengths that match its optical absorbance behavior. The photocurrent density values obtained are 3.7, 3.4, 2.9, and 0.45 μA cm−2 under 340, 440, 540, and 730 nm, respectively. The study is low-cost and holds promise for the production of hydrogen gas from wastewater.