Embedding laser generated nanocrystals in BiVO ₄ photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Addressing the intrinsic charge transport limitation of metal oxides has been of significance for pursuing viable PEC water splitting photoelectrodes. Growing a photoelectrode with conductive nanoobjects embedded in the matrix is promising for enhanced charge transport but remains a challenge technically. We herein show a strategy of embedding laser generated nanocrystals in BiVO ₄ photoanode matrix, which achieves photocurrent densities of up to 5.15 mA cm ⁻² at 1.23 V _RHE (from original 4.01 mA cm ⁻²) for a single photoanode configuration, and 6.22 mA cm ⁻² at 1.23 V _RHE for a dual configuration. The enhanced performance by such embedding is found universal owing to the typical features of laser synthesis and processing of colloids (LSPC) for producing ligand free nanocrystals in desired solvents. This study provides an alternative to address the slow bulk charge transport that bothers most metal oxides, and thus is significant for boosting their PEC water splitting performance.

Abstract

While photoelectrochemical water splitting offers a low-cost, integrated means to generate fuel from light, poor charge carrier transport limits performances. Here, authors embed laser-synthesized colloids in bismuth vanadate photoanodes to boost charge carrier mobilities and enhance photocurrents.