In this study, the potential of zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide (WO3), and their composites (ZnO–WO3) as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting was investigated. ZnO–WO3 nanocomposites (NCs) were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates at room temperature using a one-step dry coating process, the nanoparticle deposition system, with no post-processes. Different compositions of ZnO–WO3 NCs were optimized to enhance the kinetics of the PEC water-splitting reaction. Surface morphology analysis revealed the transformation of microsized particle nanosheets (NS) powder into nanosized particle nanosheets (NS) across all photoanodes. The optical characteristics of ZnO–WO3 photoanodes were scrutinized using diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. Of all the hybrid photoanodes tested, the photoanode containing 10 wt.% WO3 exhibited the lowest bandgap of 3.20 eV and the lowest emission intensity, indicating an enhanced separation of photogenerated carriers and solar energy capture. The photoelectrochemical results showed a 10% increase in the photocurrent with increasing WO3 content in ZnO–WO3 NCs, which is attributed to improved charge transfer kinetics and carrier segregation. The maximum photocurrent for a NC, i.e., 10 wt.% WO3, was recorded at 0.133 mA·cm−2 at 1.23V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The observed improvement in photocurrent was nearly 22 times higher than pure WO3 nanosheets and 7.3 times more than that of pure ZnO nanosheets, indicating the composition-dependence of PEC performance, where the synergy requirement strongly relies on utilizing the optimal ZnO–WO3 ratio in the hybrid NCs
The huge development of climatic change highly affects our crop production and soil
fertility. Also, the rise in the uncontrolled, excessive use of chemical fertilizers diminishes the soil
prosperity and generates pollutants, threatening all environmental life forms, including us. Replace-
ment of these chemical fertilizers with natural ones is becoming an inevitable environmental strategy.
In our study, we evaluated the responses of Pisum sativum L. to the action of single species and
consortiums of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, and
Bacillus cerkularice) in clay and new reclaimed soil types in terms of phenotype, yield components, and
physiological and biochemical responses. Data analysis showed single or consortium microbial inoc-
ulation significantly increased the measured traits under clay and calcareous sandy soils compared
to the control. Shoot physiological and biochemical activities, and seed biochemical activities were
significantly enhanced with the inoculation of pea seeds with three types of bacteria in both soil types.
The bud numbers, fresh weight, and seeds’ dry weight increased in seeds treated with A. chroococcum
and B. megaterium in the sandy soil. Taken together, these findings suggested that the inoculation of
plants with PGP bacteria could be used to diminish the implementation of chemical fertilizer and
improve the goodness of agricultural products. These findings expand the understanding of the
responsive mechanism of microbial inoculation under different soil types, especially at physiological
and biochemical levels.
