Recent Advances in Bismuth‐Based Nanomaterials for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract

In recent years, bismuth-based nanomaterials have drawn considerable interest as potential candidates for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting owing to their narrow band gaps, nontoxicity, and low costs. The unique electronic structure of bismuth-based materials with a well-dispersed valence band comprising Bi 6s and O 2p orbitals offers a suitable band gap to harvest visible light. This Review presents significant advancements in exploiting bismuth-based nanomaterials for solar water splitting. An overview of the different strategies employed and the new ideas adopted to improve the PEC performance of bismuth-based nanomaterials are discussed. Morphology control, the construction of heterojunctions, doping, and co-catalyst loading are several approaches that are implemented to improve the efficiency of solar water splitting. Key issues are identified and guidelines are suggested to rationalize the design of efficient bismuth-based materials for sunlight-driven water splitting.

Strategies for Efficient Charge Separation and Transfer in Artificial Photosynthesis of Solar Fuels

“…Additionally, the PEC systems can be constructed into devices like “artificial leaf” for future commercialization. Due to these advantages, PEC water splitting and CO 2 reduction have been extensively studied for solar fuels production in recent years with significant research process …”

Enhanced Charge Transfer Process of Bismuth Vanadate Interleaved Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanohybrids in Mediator‐Free Direct Z Scheme Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting

“…From the band positions of BiVO 4 and g‐C 3 N 4 the VB of BiVO 4 is . The photoelectrochemical response than reduction due to positive value compare with In case of g‐C 3 N 4 the band position of VB and CB is suitable for oxidation and reduction, respectively. But the valence band (+1.45 eV) is located slightly higher than the oxidation level (+1.23 eV), which would permit transfer of holes, but presumably with a lower driving force.…”

Bimetallic phosphide decorated Mo–BiVO4 for significantly improved photoelectrochemical activity and stability

“…[4][5][6][7][8] In particular, BiVO 4 has shown great potential for water oxidation due to its narrow band gap for visible-light absorption, appropriate valence band (VB) position for water oxidation, plentiful abundance, low cost and so on. 9 However, limited by rapid recombination of photogenerated charges and relatively slow oxidation kinetics, the practical activity of BiVO 4 for PEC water splitting is much lower than its theoretical photocurrent density of 7.6 mA cm À2 (under solar light illumination). 10 Doping transition metal ions have been proved to be an effective way to overcome the limitation of charge separation and migration.…”