Microwave abetted nano-hybrids driven high performance in catalytic, energy storage, and photovoltaic applications using RuO2–ZnO nano-hexagons anchored spheres

This work for the first time explores the pristine ruthenium oxide (RuO2) and RuO2 – zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-hexagons anchored spheres (RuO2–ZnO NHA – S) prepared via simpler microwave assisted route. NHA – S possessed 3.71 eV of band gap energy. It has a mixed crystallinity pattern based on tetragonal (space group: P42/mnm) and hexagonal (space group: P63mc), which are attributable to the presence of pristine RuO2 and ZnO. Morphologically, the developed nano-hybrid existed as the network of nano-spheres attached to nano-hexagons with varied extent of agglomeration. The electro-catalytic performance of this sustainable nano-hybrid was assessed for generation of oxygen and hydrogen through water splitting. As a bifunctional nano-catalyst, this material expressed greater affinity towards pure hydrogen production with of lower overpotential (ηHER) and Tafel slope values of 129 mV and 62.5 mV dec−1, respectively. Nano-hybrids embellished electrode achieved an outstanding specific capacitance of 834 F g−1 inside 0.1 M NaCl. While minimal equivalent series resistance (Rs) of 0.78 Ω indicated higher conductivity. As interface materials inside perovskite solar cells, they improved transferal of holes to hole extraction layer from absorber layer and reached an efficiency of 17.1% in comparison to pristine RuO2 gaining 11.63%.