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An In-Air Illumination Induced Surface Transformation for Mitigating Charge Recombination at BiVO4 Photoanodes
Chengzhuo Li1, Jifang Zhang1, Meng Liu1
1School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai201210, P. R. China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Illumination treatment enhances bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoanodes by inducing surface changes that reduce charge recombination and boost water oxidation. This leads to significantly improved light conversion efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Photoelectrode performance is often improved by illumination treatment.
- Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a promising photoanode material, but the mechanism of illumination treatment is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanistic role of in-air illumination on BiVO4 photoanodes.
- To understand how illumination treatment affects surface properties and charge dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopic techniques
- Photoelectrochemical measurements
- Analysis of surface transformations and charge recombination
Main Results:
- In-air illumination of BiVO4 photoanodes doubles photocurrent for water oxidation.
- Illumination suppresses surface-state charge recombination.
- Oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxylation increase, enhancing surface hole lifetime and oxygen evolution kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Illumination treatment induces beneficial surface transformations in BiVO4.
- Understanding these surface dynamics is key to enhancing light conversion efficiency.
- This study clarifies ambiguities in illumination treatment effects on photoanodes.
