Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Physical Chemistry

A novel propitious photoelectrocatalyst composed of nanoporous anodized stainless steel 316L (NASS316L) was developed for water splitting. The assembling process involved a controlled anodization for stainless steel alloy in a mixture of ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride, methanol and sulfuric acid at room temperature. The anodization conditions could successfully be adapted in terms of the electrolyte{u2019}s nature and composition, voltage, time and temperature to optimize the photoelectrocatalytic activity toward water splitting. Interestingly, with a proper adaptation for these conditions, the chromium, nickel and iron percentage in the stainless steel alloy retained unchanged after anodization; imparting a promising electronic band structure and fulfilling a desirable stability toward water splitting. Bunch of techniques including the scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, inductive coupled plasma and UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry were employed to evaluate the morphological and structural modifications accompanied the anodization process and further to interpret the enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity and stability of the developed catalyst toward water splitting

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