WO3 nanofibrous backbone scaffolds for enhanced optical absorbance and charge transport in metal oxide (Fe2O3, BiVO4) semiconductor photoanodes towards solar fuel generation

Improving Wastewater Treatment by Triboelectric-Photo/Electric Coupling Effect

“…TiO 2 is a semiconductor material that is widely used to degrade various organic pollutants (e.g., methyl blue, rhodamine B, methyl orange) and possesses excellent photocatalytic properties. − Although reusability tests showed that the TiO 2 nanotube electrode maintained catalytic activity and exhibited a high density morphology that was well ordered (Figure a), the band gap of TiO 2 (∼3.2 eV) limited its light-harvesting ability to the UV region, which required an additional ultraviolet light source in photocatalytic processes. − The UV source increases the energy consumption during wastewater treatment in practical applications. Thus, many researchers have reported other semiconductor materials with small band gaps, such as tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ), bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ), or Fe 2 O 3 , which can use solar radiation as the light source for photocatalysis. , Koo et al demonstrated a WO 3 electrode with a band gap of ∼2.8 eV . Subsequently, Wang et al used a WO 3 photoelectrode for the photoelectric catalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under solar radiation, and 99% of the tetracycline hydrochloride was degraded within 50 min .…”

“…Thus, many researchers have reported other semiconductor materials with small band gaps, such as tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ), bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ), or Fe 2 O 3 , which can use solar radiation as the light source for photocatalysis. 227,228 Koo et al demonstrated a WO 3 electrode with a band gap of ∼2.8 eV. 229 Subsequently, Wang et al used a WO 3 photoelectrode for the photoelectric catalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under solar radiation, and 99% of the tetracycline hydrochloride was degraded within 50 min.…”

Host/Guest Nanostructured Photoanodes Integrated with Targeted Enhancement Strategies for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…[92][93][94] Although BiVO 4 has a moderate hole diffusion length of 100-200 nm, it is restricted by poor electron mobility (≈0.02-0.044 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ). [95,96] Under frontside light illumination, the photoexcited electrons are generated near the photoanode/electrolyte interface and have to cross the entire film thick- Reproduced with permission. [104] Copyright 2016, Elsevier Ltd. b,c) Mott-Schottky plots of ZnO NWs and Fe 2 O 3 thin film.…”

“…[ 92–94 ] Although BiVO 4 has a moderate hole diffusion length of 100–200 nm, it is restricted by poor electron mobility (≈0.02–0.044 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ). [ 95,96 ] Under frontside light illumination, the photoexcited electrons are generated near the photoanode/electrolyte interface and have to cross the entire film thickness for chemical reaction. Thus, the low electron mobility inevitably restricts the transport of photogenerated electrons to the electron collector.…”

Designing of WO3@Co3O4 Heterostructures to Enhance Photoelectrochemical Performances

“…It is considered a better oxygen-evolution photocatalyst. Forming a heterojunction with a WO 3 photocatalyst will improve its charge separation and broaden its light absorption spectrum, therefore improving its photocatalytic performance. ,− Several WO 3 -based heterojunctions have been investigated, , including WO 3 –BiVO 4 , − WO 3 –TiO 2 , WO 3 –Fe 2 O 3 , , WO 3 –CoO x , and WO 3 –FeOOH, ,, to improve the charge separation problem experienced by WO 3 photocatalysts. However, some results , based on WO 3 electrodes displayed poor kinetic oxidation reactions and low photoactivity.…”