Alkaline modified bismuth vanadate coupled with reduced graphene oxide as efficient photoelectrochemical catalysts for water oxidation

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Author list: Cheng T.-M.; Wang Y.-R.; Chiu Y.-H.; Chung R.-J.; Kongvarhodom C.; Saukani M.; Yougbaré S.; Chen H.-M.; Lin L.-Y.

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication year: 2025

Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (0360-3199)

Volume number: 98

Start page: 1226

End page: 1234

Number of pages: 9

ISSN: 0360-3199

eISSN: 1879-3487

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85211696903&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijhydene.2024.12.139&partnerID=40&md5=f47eee1bd46079f2a560c6ad3b66316f

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) with its appropriately positioned band structures is recognized as an efficient photocatalyst for water oxidation. Enhancing the number of active sites and electrical conductivity is crucial, as these factors can significantly improve charge diffusion lengths and reduce charge recombination rates. In this study, a novel approach is presented by incorporating Ultraphene™, a commercial reduced graphene oxide, into alkaline-etched BiVO4 photoanodes using a hydrothermal process. This innovative method aims to create advanced photocatalysts for water oxidation. Although the BiVO4 treated with alkaline etching and Ultraphene™ (U-BVO-E) exhibits reduced light absorbance, it compensates by generating more defects that serve as hole sinks and establish efficient charge transfer pathways. Notably, the U-BVO-E photoanode achieves a maximum photocurrent density of 5.89 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE) in an electrolyte without a hole scavenger, a significant improvement compared to the untreated BiVO4 electrode, which only records a photocurrent density of 0.70 mA/cm2. Additionally, the U-BVO-E electrode retains 82% of the photocurrent after 6000 s of continuous illumination. These findings strongly demonstrate the effectiveness of alkaline etching and Ultraphene™ incorporation in significantly enhancing the photoelectrochemical catalytic performance of BiVO4. © 2024

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