Dandelion-Like CuWO₄/WO₃ Composite Photoanode Employing Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for Enhanced...

This study introduces a novel modified dandelion-like CuWO₄/WO₃ heterojunction photoanode featuring NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) as a co-catalyst, fabricated through hydrothermal and drop casting methods. Morphological and photoelectrochemical assessments elucidate that the optimal dandelion-like CuWO₄/WO₃ heterojunction facilitates charge separation in a neutral solution. Additionally, electrochemical evaluations of the CuWO₄/WO₃ heterojunction decorated with LDHs co-catalysts reveal enhancements in photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), cathodic shift of the photocurrent onset potential, and an increase in photocurrent density to 0.17 mA cm^-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which is twice that of the pristine photoanode under neutral pH conditions. The improved performance of the modified photoanode is attributed to the accelerated diffusion of reactants and products, as well as efficient proton-coupled electron transfer processes facilitated by the presence of LDHs.