Method for generating hydrogen gas

A method of generating hydrogen gas, comprising:

• applying a potential of greater than 0 to 1.0 volts (V) to an electrochemical cell,
• wherein the electrochemical cell is at least partially submerged in an aqueous solution,
• wherein on applying the potential the aqueous solution is reduced thereby forming hydrogen gas,
• wherein the electrochemical cell comprises:
• an electrocatalyst;
• and
• a counter electrode;
• wherein the electrocatalyst comprises:
• a substrate;
• strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanoparticles;
• and
• cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles,
• wherein the SrTiO3 nanoparticles have a substantially spherical shape,
• wherein the CdSe nanoparticles have a polygon shape,
• wherein the CdSe nanoparticles are distributed within a network of the SrTiO3 nanoparticles on a surface of the substrate;
• and
• wherein forming the electrocatalyst further comprises:
• sonicating a solution of SrTiO3 and CdSe to form a homogeneous solution;
• irradiating the homogeneous solution with a pulsed laser for at least 10 minutes to form the CdSe nanoparticles and the SrTiO3 nanoparticles in a suspension;
• drying the suspension at a temperature of at least 80° C. for at least 30 minutes and
• coating it on the substrate to form the electrocatalyst.