Synthesis of nanoporous Mo:BiVO₄ thin film photoanodes using the ultrasonic spray technique for visible-light water splitting

Abstract

The use of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) scheelite structures for converting solar energy into fuels and chemicals for fast growth in lab to industrial scale for large-area modules is a key challenge for further development.

Copper Vanadate (Cu3V2O8): (Mo, W) Doping Insights to Enhance Performance as an Anode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…The dopants, Mo and W, potentially interact with the grain boundaries and decrease their energy which leads to stabilization at low particle sizes. 22,23 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis presented for pristine CVO and Mo-CVO in Figure 2d,e shows similar particle sizes as seen in the SEM images, further strengthening our discussion above. Figure 2f shows the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) of CVO which clearly indicates its high crystallinity.…”

Energy-Inexpensive Galvanic Deposition of BiOI on Electrodes and Its Conversion to 3D Porous BiVO4-Based Photoanode

“…The EDXS spectrum in Figure D shows the incorporation of V into the thin film, along with the presence of Bi, Sn, O, and C elements. Figure E illustrates the diffraction peak intensity at 2θ = 18.9, 28.9, 30.5, 35.2, 40, 42.4, 46, 47.2, 53.2, 58.5, and 59.4 which corresponds to (⟨101⟩, ⟨112⟩, ⟨004⟩, ⟨020⟩, ⟨−121⟩, ⟨015⟩, ⟨015⟩, ⟨204⟩, ⟨024⟩, ⟨116⟩, ⟨303⟩, and ⟨132⟩) planes, respectively, which depicts the monoclinic scheelite structure of BiVO 4 . , The crystallite size obtained from the XRD peaks when using the Scherrer equation is approximately 28 nm. The diffusion length of the hole of BiVO 4 single crystal at a wavelength of 400 nm has been estimated as ∼100 nm and reported by other researchers. , Therefore, the nanoporosity incorporated into g-BiVO 4 /FTO electrodes in this study appears to be ideal for effectively suppressing bulk carrier recombination due to short diffusion path length.…”

“…Figure 8E illustrates the diffraction peak intensity at 2θ = 18.9, 28.9, 30.5, 35.2, 40, 42.4, 46, 47.2, 53.2, 58.5, and 59.4 which corresponds to (⟨101⟩, ⟨112⟩, ⟨004⟩, ⟨020⟩, ⟨−121⟩, ⟨015⟩, ⟨015⟩, ⟨204⟩, ⟨024⟩, ⟨116⟩, ⟨303⟩, and ⟨132⟩) planes, respectively, which depicts the monoclinic scheelite structure of BiVO 4 . 40,41 The crystallite size obtained from the XRD peaks when using the Scherrer equation is approximately 28 nm. The diffusion length of the hole of BiVO 4 single crystal at a wavelength of 400 nm has been estimated as ∼100 nm and reported by other researchers.…”

Quasi‐1D Aligned Nanostructures for Solar‐Driven Water Splitting Applications: Challenges, Promises, and Perspectives

“…The photocatalysts (normally nanoparticles) should be deposited over a conducting surface such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) with homogeneous uniformity. Various methods can be used for this purpose, which includes electrochemical anodization (especially in the case of metal foils), [ 42,57,58 ] the doctor‐blade method, [ 59–61 ] the spin coating method, [ 60,62–64 ] the solution casting method, [ 65–67 ] particle/seed transfer, [ 68–70 ] and direct film growth over the conducting surface during synthesis on the electrode surface. [ 10,54 ] Once the photocatalytic materials are uniformly deposited, the photoelectrodes are ready for water splitting.…”