Facile fabrication of an efficient BiVO4 thin film electrode for water splitting under visible light irradiation

An efficient BiVO4 thin film electrode for overall water splitting was prepared by dipping an F-doped SnO2 (FTO) substrate electrode in an aqueous nitric acid solution of Bi(NO3)3 and NH4VO3, and subsequently calcining it. X-ray diffraction of the BiVO4 thin film revealed that a photocatalytically active phase of scheelite-monoclinic BiVO4 was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the surface of an FTO substrate was uniformly coated with the BiVO4 film with 300–400 nm of the thickness. The BiVO4 thin film electrode gave an excellent anodic photocurrent with 73% of an IPCE at 420 nm at 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Modification with CoO on the BiVO4 electrode improved the photoelectrochemical property. A photoelectrochemical cell consisting of the BiVO4 thin film electrode with and without CoO, and a Pt counter electrode was constructed for water splitting under visible light irradiation and simulated sunlight irradiation. Photocurrent due to water splitting to form H2 and O2 was confirmed with applying an external bias smaller than 1.23 V that is a theoretical voltage for electrolysis of water. Water splitting without applying external bias under visible light irradiation was demonstrated using a SrTiO3∶Rh photocathode and the BiVO4 photoanode.

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