Development of newly designed biomass-based electrodes used in water electrolysis for clean hydrogen production

The conventional electrolysis is recognized as a mature and promising hydrogen (H 2 ) production technology, but there is still a strong need for further performance improvement. In this regard, achieving an effective H 2 evolution reaction at the cathode requires costly catalysts, such as platinum and various catalyst-modified electrode materials. Nevertheless, these materials are expensive and involve complex production procedures. Due to an increasing interest in deploying biomaterial-based cathodes as potential alternatives to conventional cathode materials, we make the focus of this study on such materials, and a graphite-loaded bioelectrode is, in this regard, synthesized for electrolysis application for effective H 2 production. The surface morphology and electrochemical activity of the produced biocathode are characterized. Our results show that the H 2 production performance of the system improves with the increasing graphite dosage on the biocathode and with the applied voltage ranging from 2 to 6 V. At improved operating conditions, the highest H 2 production rate of 1000 ppm (8.18 mg/m 3 min) is obtained using a 1.5 g graphite-loaded biocathode at an applied voltage of 6 V. Consequently, the produced graphite-loaded biocathode can be a promising option for sustainable and effective H 2 production with waste minimization, owing to its high conductivity, low-cost, and good stability. • Graphite-starch-doped bioelectrode was prepared for hydrogen production applications. • Starch-derived graphite-loaded bioelectrode displayed a high carbon content of 77.7 %. • Highest hydrogen production rate obtained at 6 V for 1.5 g of graphite-loaded bioelectrode. • Highest anodic current of 0.7 mA/cm 2 was observed for the 1.5 g graphite-loading. • The manufactured bioelectrode presented notable production at high graphite loadings.