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Solar water oxidation using TaON-BiVO4 photoanodes functionalized with WO3
Tingting Wei1, Zhanbin Jin1, Fengyan Li1
1Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalates Science of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, P. R. China.
Tantalum oxynitride-bismuth vanadate (TaON-BiVO4) photoanodes functionalized with tungsten trioxide (WO3) show enhanced solar water oxidation. This WO3 coating improves photocurrent density and stability for efficient photocatalysis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Efficient solar water oxidation is crucial for renewable energy production.
- Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4)-based photoanodes often suffer from limited activity and stability.
- Coupling with other photoactive semiconductors is a strategy to enhance performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of tungsten trioxide (WO3) functionalization on tantalum oxynitride-bismuth vanadate (TaON-BiVO4) photoanodes.
- To explore the influence of WO3 coating on the microstructure and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) performance.
- To understand the charge transfer mechanisms in the modified photoanodes.
Main Methods:
- Doctor-blade method for preparing TaON-BiVO4 photoanodes.
- Functionalization of TaON-BiVO4 with tungsten trioxide (WO3) coating.
- Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) measurements to assess water oxidation performance.
- Comprehensive characterization techniques to analyze material properties and mechanisms.
Main Results:
- TaON-BiVO4/WO3 photoanodes exhibited significantly enhanced water oxidation photocurrent densities at 1.23 V (vs. RHE) compared to unmodified TaON-BiVO4.
- The WO3 coating induced a particularly porous microstructure, contributing to improved PEC performance.
- Detailed investigations elucidated the formation process and photoinduced carrier transfer mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Tungsten trioxide (WO3) functionalization is an effective strategy to improve the photoelectrocatalytic activity and stability of TaON-BiVO4 photoanodes.
- The porous microstructure and optimized charge transfer in TaON-BiVO4/WO3 composites are key to enhanced solar water oxidation.
- This study provides insights into designing advanced photoanodes for efficient solar fuel production.
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