Abstract
Bismuth vanadate has been extensively investigated as a potential visible light photoanode for PEC water splitting. The performance of BiVO4 is restricted by fast charge recombination and slow oxygen evolution reaction kinetic. To address these issues, hierarchical SnO2 (HSN) mesoporous support is developed via a novel sol-electrophoretic approach, and BiVO4 film is decorated with silver nanorods (Ag NRs). The photocurrent density of HSN/BiVO4 photoanode is 3.98 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and onset potential (Vonset) of 0.5 V vs. RHE. The PEC performance is attributed to the appropriate band alignment between SnO2 and BiVO4, as well as the hierarchical structure of SnO2. Ag-HSN/BiVO4 photoanode shows photocurrent density of 4.30 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE and Vonset of 0.28 V vs. RHE. The enhanced photocurrent and negatively shifted Vonset can be attributed to radiative localized surface plasmon resonance decay and catalytic effect of Ag NRs, respectively.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
