Synergistic effect of multiferroicity in GdFeO3 nanoparticles for significant hydrogen production through photo/electrocatalysis

Due to chemical stability and visible-light driven features, perovskite-based photocatalysts and electrocatalysts are potential candidates for implementation of water-splitting hydrogen production to help tackle the present fuel crisis. In this study, it is shown that multiferroic GdFeO3 nanoparticles can help meet this need. GdFeO3 nanoparticles were solvothermally produced in pristine form, and the chemical purity of these particles was evaluated by powder X-ray diffraction, while the morphology and average particle size of 71 nm were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Oxygen vacancies and grain-mediated two-dimensional planar defects in GdFeO3 nanoparticles were identified with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy along with Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Magnetization and electric polarization studies confirmed the multiferroic nature of the nanoparticles. Without the use of a co-catalyst, GdFeO3 nanoparticles exhibited a hydrogen evolution rate of 685 μmol h−1g−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 14% which was attributed to electric-polarization-induced band bending. The effect of sacrificial agents in H2 production was also evaluated to find the true hydrogen evolution. Moreover, in contrast to other cutting-edge oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts as Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ, GdFeO3 nanoparticles showed a very low overpotential of 320 mV in an alkaline media with favorable chemical stability.