Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of spin-coated WO3/BiVO4/ZnO photoanodes by maximizing charge transfer using an optimized ZnO decoration layer

Ji, Junhyuk; Sang, Pankyu; Kim, Jung Hyeun

doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.06.035

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Additionally, BiFeO 3 was introduced into the WO 3 /BiVO 4 system resulting in high PEC performance and stability . To achieve an excellent PEC performance, sustained photoactivity, and effective passivation of sublayers, a ZnO layer introduced onto the WO 3 /BiVO 4 type-II heterojunction . However, coating TiO 2 layer played a crucial role in protecting BiVO 4 against photocorrosion and degradation .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…22 Achieving potentially high PEC performance with longterm durability necessitates the post alteration of a WO 3 /BiVO 4 heterojunction with a surface protective agent. 23 Among these options, the construction of a passivation layer such as NiCo 2 O x , 24 Bi 2 S 3 , 25 CoP, 26 BiFeO 3 , 27 ZnO, 28 TiO 2 29 on top of a WO 3 /BiVO 4 heterojunction has demonstrated effective performance in enhancing stability. In a study conducted by Wei et al, 24 a robust catalyst known as NiCo 2 O x was applied to the surface of WO 3 /BiVO 4 photoanodes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these options, the construction of a passivation layer such as NiCo 2 O x , 24 Bi 2 S 3 , 25 CoP, 26 BiFeO 3 , 27 ZnO, 28 TiO 2 29 on top of a WO 3 /BiVO 4 heterojunction has demonstrated effective performance in enhancing stability. In a study conducted by Wei et al, 24 a robust catalyst known as NiCo 2 O x was applied to the surface of WO 3 /BiVO 4 photoanodes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 27 To achieve an excellent PEC performance, sustained photoactivity, and effective passivation of sublayers, a ZnO layer introduced onto the WO 3 /BiVO 4 type-II heterojunction. 28 However, coating TiO 2 layer played a crucial role in protecting BiVO 4 against photocorrosion and degradation. 30 Surface post modification with a nanometer-thick layer of single-crystalline TiO 2 yielded stable PCD up to 1.04 mA cm 2 at 1.23 V and long-term photostability (24 h).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Thirumalaisamy,

Wei,

Davies

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The heterostructure WO 3 /BiVO 4 -based photoanodes have garnered significant interest for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen. However, challenges such as inadequate charge separation and photocorrosion significantly hinder their performance, limiting overall solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. The incorporation of cocatalysts has shown promise in improving charge separation at the photoanode, yet mitigating photocorrosion remains a formidable challenge. Amorphous metal oxide-based passivation layers offer a potential solution to safeguard semiconductor catalysts. We examine the structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of two-stepintegrated sputter and spray-coated TiO 2 thin films and their integration onto WO 3 /BiVO 4 , both with and without NiOOH cocatalyst deposition. The J−V experiments reveal that the NiOOH cocatalyst enhances the photocurrent density of the WO 3 /BiVO 4 photoanode in water splitting reactions from 2.81 to 3.87 mA/cm 2 . However, during prolonged operation, the photocurrent density degrades by 52%. In contrast, integrated sputter and spray-coated TiO 2 passivation layer-coated WO 3 /BiVO 4 /NiOOH samples demonstrate a ∼88% enhancement in photocurrent density (5.3 mA/cm 2 ) with minimal degradation, emphasizing the importance of a strategic coating protocol to sustain photocurrent generation. We further explore the feasibility of using natural mine wastewater as an electrolyte feedstock in PEC generation. Two-compartment PEC cells, utilizing both fresh water and metal mine wastewater feedstocks exhibit 66.6 and 74.2 μmol/h cm 2 hydrogen generation, respectively. Intriguingly, the recovery of zinc (Zn 2+ ) heavy metals on the cathode surface in the mine wastewater electrolyte is confirmed through surface morphology and elemental analysis. This work underscores the significance of passivation layer and cocatalyst coating methodologies in a sequential order to enhance charge separation and protect the photoanode from photocorrosion, contributing to sustainable hydrogen generation. Additionally, it suggests the potential of utilizing wastewater in electrolyzers as an alternative to freshwater resources.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Thirumalaisamy,

Wei,

Davies

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The ZnO-WO 3 composites obtained in their research achieved a photocurrent of 0.353 mA/cm 2 at 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl in a 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 solution. J. Ji et al [22] prepared WO 3 -BiVO 4 -ZnO using different steps. Tungstic acid and a polyvinyl alcohol solution were dissolved to produce a 0.12 M WO 3 precursor solution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One-Step Dry Coating of Hybrid ZnO–WO3 Nanosheet Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Composition-Dependent Performance

Malik,

Roy,

Chun

et al. 2023

Micromachines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Efficient WO₃ Nanoplate Arrays Photoanode Modified by ZnO Nanosheets for Enhanced Charge Separation and Transfer to Promote Photoelectrochemical Performances

Wu,

Yan,

Wang

et al. 2024

Adv Elect Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A key factor in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoelectrodes is the efficient separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Herein, a novel photoanode comprising three‐dimensional (3D) WO3 nanoplate@ZnO nanosheet hierarchical type‐II heterojunction arrays (3D WO3@ZnO HHAs) is designed and constructed via modification of the WO3 nanoplate arrays with ZnO nanosheets. The synthesized materials are characterized viaX‐ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis), scanning electon microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) test results reveal that the synthesized 3D WO3@ZnO HHAs photoanode exhibits reduced charge transfer resistance, improved electron‐hole pair life, and enhanced photocurrent density (≈4.5 times increase in comparison to that of the bare WO3). The increased light capture and high surface area in contact with the electrolyte as well as the enhanced charge transfer through the synergy between morphology and band structures may be responsible for the improved PEC characteristics.

show abstract

Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of spin-coated WO3/BiVO4/ZnO photoanodes by maximizing charge transfer using an optimized ZnO decoration layer

Cited by 18 publications

References 64 publications

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

One-Step Dry Coating of Hybrid ZnO–WO3 Nanosheet Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Composition-Dependent Performance

Efficient WO₃ Nanoplate Arrays Photoanode Modified by ZnO Nanosheets for Enhanced Charge Separation and Transfer to Promote Photoelectrochemical Performances

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of spin-coated WO3/BiVO4/ZnO photoanodes by maximizing charge transfer using an optimized ZnO decoration layer

Cited by 18 publications

References 64 publications

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO3/BiVO4/TiO2/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO3/BiVO4/TiO2/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

One-Step Dry Coating of Hybrid ZnO–WO3 Nanosheet Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Composition-Dependent Performance

Efficient WO3 Nanoplate Arrays Photoanode Modified by ZnO Nanosheets for Enhanced Charge Separation and Transfer to Promote Photoelectrochemical Performances

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO₃/BiVO₄/TiO₂/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters

Efficient WO₃ Nanoplate Arrays Photoanode Modified by ZnO Nanosheets for Enhanced Charge Separation and Transfer to Promote Photoelectrochemical Performances