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Structure-property-performance correlation in BiVO4 photoanodes synthesized by intensity-tuned pulse
Nguyen Thi Huyen1,2,3, Thi Viet Ha Luu4, Tran Le1,2
1Faculty of Physics & Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.
Nanoscale Advances
|October 1, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed efficient bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The optimized Bi-576 sample shows high photocurrent density and stability, advancing solar fuel technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Efficient and stable photoanodes are crucial for advancing photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.
- Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a promising material for photoanodes due to its suitable band gap and chemical stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and optimize bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoanodes using a two-step synthesis method.
- To investigate the effect of pulse deposition voltage and precursor volume on the photoelectrochemical performance and structural properties of BiVO4 photoanodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of BiVO4 photoanodes via pulse electrodeposition of bismuth and spin-coating of a vanadium precursor, followed by thermal annealing.
- Systematic variation of pulse voltages and vanadium precursor volume to produce a series of samples.
- Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott-Schottky analysis.
Main Results:
- The optimized Bi-576 sample (1.5-1.7 V pulse voltage, 0.6 μL VO(acac)2 precursor) achieved a photocurrent density of 1.33 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V vs. RHE, with 20% applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE).
- Structural analysis revealed preferential (121) crystal orientation, reduced crystallite size, and a porous morphology, enhancing charge transport and surface area.
- High donor density (8.65 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³) and a long interfacial time constant (31.46 ms) contributed to efficient charge transport, with over 82% photocurrent retention after 10 hours of operation.
Conclusions:
- Tuning pulse deposition conditions and precursor chemistry enables rational design of high-performance BiVO4 photoanodes.
- The developed scalable approach offers a promising route for fabricating durable and efficient photoanodes for solar-driven water splitting.
- Optimized BiVO4 photoanodes demonstrate significant potential for advancing solar fuel generation technologies.
