A team of researchers demonstrated that modifying the topmost layer of atoms on the surface of electrodes can significantly boost their performance. A considerable amount of energy is required to split water and generate hydrogen. Thus, scientists have been working on fabricating materials for photoelectrodes that can use solar energy to split water, creating a 'solar fuel' that can be stored for later use. The research showed that modifying the topmost layer of atoms on the surface of electrodes can significantly boost their performance. The way that a photoelectrode works is by absorbing energy from sunlight, which generates an electrical potential and current that can split water into oxygen and hydrogen. The team investigated a photoelectrode material called bismuth vanadate, which is promising because it strongly absorbs sunlight across a range of wavelengths and remains relatively stable in water.
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