Visible Light Photoanode Material for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: A Review of Bismuth Vanadate

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for water splitting has been regarded as one of the most appealing and environmentally friendly approaches to converting light energy into hydrogen energy. The semiconductor material used as the photoelectrode is considered to be the most important factor affecting the efficiency of the PEC system. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ), as a n-type semiconductor material, has a wide light absorption range, strong catalytic ability, high stability, and low cost, which makes it one of the most promising candidates as a photoanode material for PEC water splitting. Since the first report of BiVO 4 , tremendous efforts have been devoted to exploring different strategies for the synthesis and structural modification of BiVO 4 to enhance its PEC performance, which has led to remarkable progress in recent years. This review attempts to summarize such considerable progress of BiVO 4 for PEC water splitting, mainly focusing on the synthetic methods and modification strategies. In the end, the personal perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of this promising material are proposed.

Fabrication of TiVO4 photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical application

“…The photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered one of the most promising H 2 generation methods with required potential (DG °= 237 kJ mol −1 ), due to its use of the unlimited energy source of solar light without producing any CO 2 . [2][3][4][5] Since 1972, aer the pioneering work by Fujishima and Honda using TiO 2 as a photocatalyst in a water splitting system. 6 To achieve high performance of PEC materials, suitable band gap, diffusion length, bulk defects and surface recombination, i.e.…”

2022 Pioneers in Energy Research: Jinhua Ye

“…Du’s group published a minireview on the role of co-catalysts on BiVO 4 photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation . Liu et al reviewed bismuth vanadate as visible light photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting . Yi and co-authors presented an enhanced self-biased photoelectric performance of BiVO 4 driven by the anomalous photovoltaic effect induced by applying unidirectional mechanical polishing .…”

“…41 Liu et al reviewed bismuth vanadate as visible light photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting. 42 Yi and co-authors presented an enhanced selfbiased photoelectric performance of BiVO 4 driven by the anomalous photovoltaic effect induced by applying unidirectional mechanical polishing. 43 Ng's group reported that an improved charge transportation area between WO 3 and Bi 2 WO 6 photoanodes promoted the improvement in the photoelectrochemical performance.…”

Review on BiVO4-Based Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation: The Main Influencing Factors

“…33 The modified BiVO 4 has high photocurrent and stability, which makes it a potential PEC photocatalytic electrode material. Shi et al summarized the BiVO 4 electrode from preparation methods and different modification methods, 34 and Wang et al 35 have summarized the methods of introducing an oxygen vacancy and the effect of oxygen vacancy on the PEC water splitting of BiVO 4 photoanodes. Furthermore, Gaikwad 36 overviewed the bulk, surface, and interface engineering methods on BiVO 4 photoanode such as doping, defect engineering, and nanostructuring to enhance the PEC performance.…”