Highly flexible poly-O-aminothiophenol/intercalated iodide composite with highly morphological properties for green hydrogen generation from Red Sea water

Abstract

Abstract A highly flexible poly-O-amino thiophenol/intercalated iodide (POATP-I) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized, in a one-step process, as a promising photocathode for H2 production through the Red Sea water. The fabrication of the photocathode involves the oxidation of O-amino thiophenol with iodine, leading to the formation of a remarkably flexible thin film of POATP-I. This thin film exhibits a well-developed network of polymer films. Notably, the nanocomposite demonstrates outstanding light absorbance properties in UV and Vis segments, boasting a calculated bandgap of 2.56 eV. To assess the efficiency of the photocathode, the current density (Jph) generated during the process is employed as a quantitative metric. The Jph values recorded in dark and light range from −0.2 to −1.7 mAcm−2, respectively. This substantial change in Jph highlights the impressive responsiveness of the POATP-I thin film to incident light, facilitating the high-energy electrons formation that contributes to the environmentally friendly hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the thin film exhibits notable responsiveness across various monochromatic photons, from 340 to 730 nm. Optimal performance is observed at 340 nm, where Jph reaches −0.45 mA.cm−2. Additionally, the estimated hydrogen production rate is calculated at 0.15 mmol h−1 for every 10 cm2 of the material’s surface. These remarkable characteristics position the material for potential industrial applications in hydrogen gas production, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for hydrogen production.