Molecular caffeine electrode for hydrogen production using two or three electrode configurations in sulphuric acid electrolyte solution on a graphite's surface

The surface modification of graphite electrodes for hydrogen production using caffeine was investigated in sulphuric acid electrolyte. Characterization of both the graphite and the modified graphite with caffeine was conducted using FTIR, TGA, and SEM techniques. Additionally, an evaluation of hydrogen production was carried out using a direct current power supply set at various voltages (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 V ) and with an Autolab Workstation for cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear scan voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometric analyses. A hydrogen evolution current of density of −1000 mA/cm 2 corresponding to −0.65 V (vs RHE) and 6.36 mA/cm 2 corresponding to 9.803 V (vs RHE) were achieved under two-electrode chronoamperometric evaluations and direct current power supply set-up, respectively. • Graphite electrode performance for hydrogen production was modified with caffeine. • Hydrogen production process was carried out in sulphuric acid electrolyte. • The formation of bubbles indicated successful hydrogen production. • The current decreased with a reduction in the number of bubbles on the surface of the graphite electrode. • Increase in current was noted with the graphite/caffeine modification.