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Enhanced Water Splitting Using a Densely Structured Dendritic Bismuthinite Photoanode with FeOOH Cocatalyst
Magzhan Amze1, Vladislav Kudryashov1, Yerbolat Magazov1
1Renewable Energy Lab, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, 010000 Astana, Kazakhstan.
ACS Omega
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Researchers improved solar water splitting efficiency using bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) photoanodes. Morphology engineering and cocatalyst decoration significantly boosted photocurrent and solar energy conversion, addressing charge recombination and surface reaction limitations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Solar water splitting offers a sustainable route to hydrogen production, but efficiency is hampered by charge recombination and slow surface reactions.
- Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) is a promising semiconductor for water oxidation due to its optical properties and band gap, but its efficiency in photoelectrodes needs improvement.
- Existing strategies like heterostructures and plasmonic enhancement have not fully overcome the limitations of Bi2S3-based systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the efficiency of bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) photoanodes for solar water splitting.
- To address charge recombination and sluggish surface reactions in Bi2S3 photoelectrodes through morphology engineering and surface functionalization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a densely packed dendritic Bi2S3 photoanode using an electrochemically deposited bismuth metal sacrificial structure.
- Surface functionalization of the Bi2S3 photoanode with an ultrathin layer of an oxyhydroxide cocatalyst (FeOOH).
- Characterization of photoelectrochemical performance, including photocurrent density, solar energy conversion efficiency, and photon-to-current conversion efficiency.
Main Results:
- The dendritic Bi2S3 morphology enhanced light absorption.
- The Bi2S3/FeOOH photoanode exhibited a 1.7-fold increase in photocurrent (from 2.2 to 3.7 mA·cm⁻² at 1.23 V vs RHE) compared to pristine Bi2S3.
- A 3-fold increase in solar energy conversion efficiency at low bias and a 1.5-fold improvement in photon-to-current conversion efficiency (32% to 48% at 600 nm) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Morphology engineering and surface modification are critical for advancing the efficiency of Bi2S3-based photoanodes.
- The developed Bi2S3/FeOOH photoanode demonstrates significantly improved performance for solar water splitting.
- This approach provides a viable strategy for overcoming key limitations in semiconductor photocatalysis for sustainable hydrogen production.
