Combinatorial approach to improve photoelectrodes based on BiVO4

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Investigating efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials is crucial for solar fuel production.
• Binary bismuth-vanadium (Bi-V) oxides are potential candidates for water photooxidation and photoreduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the PEC behavior of Bi-V oxide materials.
• To optimize Bi-V oxide performance through combinatorial doping.
• To identify materials for efficient water splitting.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput combinatorial inkjet printing of oxide precursors.
• Pyrolysis of printed films with varying levels of a third metal oxide precursor.
• Photoelectrochemical evaluation under potential control using laser scanning photocurrent imaging.

Main Results:

• Optimal photoelectrolysis activity was observed for the BiVO4 phase (Bi/V ratio of 1:1).
• Doping BiVO4 with W, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Mn enhanced photocurrent generation.
• Tungsten (W) doping resulted in an up to 18-fold increase in photocurrent, albeit with a widened electronic band gap.

Conclusions:

• BiVO4 is a highly active material for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
• Tungsten doping significantly boosts the photocurrent of BiVO4, showing potential for improved solar fuel technologies.
• Further research is needed to balance enhanced photocurrent with optimal electronic band gap properties.