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Interfacial Engineering of V2O5 via Conductive Polyaniline for Accelerated Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Chaitany Jayprakash Raorane1, Seong-Cheol Kim1
1School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsanbuk-Do, Republic of Korea.
Polymers
|June 12, 2026
Summary
A new vanadium pentoxide and polyaniline hybrid electrode boosts sustainable hydrogen production through efficient water splitting. This novel catalyst offers enhanced kinetics and durability for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production via water splitting.
- Current methods face challenges due to slow reaction rates and expensive noble-metal catalysts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel conductive polymer-inorganic hybrid electrode for improved HER performance.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and polyaniline (PANI) on catalytic activity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of V2O5 nanoflowers on carbon cloth using hydrothermal synthesis.
- Deposition of polyaniline (PANI) via electropolymerization (cyclic voltammetry).
- Characterization using morphological, structural, and electrochemical techniques.
Main Results:
- Optimized V2O5-PANI-2 electrode showed a low overpotential (79.9 mV at -10 mA cm-2) and small Tafel slope (46.6 mV dec-1).
- The hybrid electrode demonstrated reduced charge-transfer resistance and increased electrochemically active surface area (ECSA).
- Excellent durability was observed over 5000 CV cycles and 24 hours of operation.
Conclusions:
- The V2O5-PANI hybrid electrode significantly enhances hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics.
- Synergistic interactions between V2O5 and PANI improve conductivity and active site availability.
- This material presents a promising, cost-effective alternative for sustainable hydrogen generation.
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