Effect of Iron Loading on the Physicochemical and Electrochemical Performance of Fe-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The development of cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential for advancing hydrogen production technologies. This study explores iron/reduced graphene oxide (Fe-rGO) nanocomposites synthesized using a facile one-pot method, focusing on the impact of varying iron content (1, 5, and 10%) on their physicochemical and electrochemical properties. Comprehensive characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunnauer-Emmett-Teller analysis confirmed the successful integration of iron into the graphene matrix, with distinct structural changes and mesoporosity observed across samples. Thermal stability was affirmed via thermogravimetric analysis. Electrochemical performance was evaluated by fabricating Fe-rGO-modified glassy carbon electrodes (Fe-rGO/GCE), which showed significantly enhanced current response compared to unmodified GCE, attributed to improved electron transfer dynamics and reduced charge transfer resistance. Among the composites, Fe-rGO/GCE 10% demonstrated the best performance and the lowest charge transfer resistance (166.3 Ω·cm), indicating a rapid electron transfer mechanism. Comparative analysis confirmed that 10% Fe/GCE outperformed other electrodes, highlighting the beneficial effect of iron incorporation on HER activity. These findings suggest that Fe-rGO nanocomposites hold significant potential as non-precious metal electrocatalysts for HER, offering a promising alternative to platinum-based catalysts in hydrogen production.