Cyclic Voltammetry-Assisted enhancement of water splitting activity in nanostructured WO₃ catalysts through structural evolution and Pt substitution

Efficient electrochemical water splitting is crucial for sustainable energy solutions. This study examined how structural changes in nanostructured WO₃ catalysts enhance their water splitting activity. After synthesis and periodic cycling, the catalysts evolved from a monoclinic to a monoclinic/hexagonal structure, creating surface vacancies that allowed Pt substitution. A Pt content of about 1.1 % was noted in the C800 sample post-cycling. This structural evolution combined with Pt substitution significantly improved catalyst performance. These insights advance the design of WO₃ catalysts and deepen our understanding of their activity. The findings highlight the potential of nanostructured WO₃ catalysts in developing efficient green energy solutions and suggest new directions for research in sustainable energy technologies.