Transparent Co_(3)FeO_(x) Film Passivated BiVO_(4) Photoanode for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

摘要

Photoelectrochemistry that use semiconductors to absorb sunlight for water splitting provides an effective method for the development of renewable hydrogen energy in the future.In this paper,a transparent and highly-efficient cobalt-iron oxide(Co_(3)FeO_(x))nano-film was fabricated through hydrothermal method by directional adjustment of atomic ratio to promote the kinetics of BiVO_(4)(BVO)photoanode water oxidation.As a result,the Co_(3)FeO_(x)-modified BVO photoanode(Co_(3)FeO_(x)/BVO)exhibits an impressive photocurrent density of 4.0 mA·cm^(2) at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),approximately 2.17-fold higher than that of bare BVO,as well as a cathodically shifted onset potential of 320 mV.Transparent catalyst nanolayer structure is clarified by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.In addition,the Co_(3)FeO_(x)/BVO photoanode has better stability,and there is no obvious activity degradation after 10 hours of reaction.This strategy provides a broad prospect for the use of water oxidation co-catalyst to achieve effective water splitting.