Boosting the photoelectrochemical performance of BiVO4 by borate buffer activation: the role of trace iron impurities

Xiaohu Cao; Xuemeng Yu; Xihan Chen; Ruquan Ye

doi:10.1039/d4cc03817g

Author(s)

Xiaohu Cao
Xuemeng Yu
Xihan Chen
Ruquan Ye

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	10330–10333
Journal / Publication	Chemical Communications
Volume	60
Issue number	75
Online published	22 Aug 2024
Publication status	Published - 25 Sept 2024

Link(s)

DOI	DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cc03817g Final Published version
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Attachment(s)	Documents 244390927.pdf Final Published version, 876 KB, PDF Publisher's Copyright Statement This full text is made available under CC-BY-NC 3.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Link to Scopus	https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202954375&origin=recordpage
Permanent Link	https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(e17fd72e-d48b-4142-9135-17e5d33d58aa).html

Abstract

BiVO₄ is an attractive photoanode material for water oxidation, but requires surface treatment to improve the energy efficiency and stability. Herein, we investigate the role of borate buffer in activating the BiVO₄ photoanode. We found that trace iron impurities in the borate buffer play a critical role in activating the photoanode. By optimizing the activation conditions, the photocurrent density attains 4.5 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V_RHE without any cocatalysts, alongside a high ABPE value of 1.5% at 0.7 V_RHE. Our study discloses the role of iron in the activation effect of borate buffer on the BiVO₄ photoanode, which has implications for other catalytic systems. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.