Low-bias photoelectrochemical water splitting via mediating trap states and small polaron hopping

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33905-6
• Publication Date: 2022-10-20T14:04:14Z
• Authors: Hao Wu; Lei Zhang; Aijun Du; Rowshanak Irani; Roel van de Krol; Fatwa F. Abdi; Yun Hau Ng
• Keywords: Trap (plumbing)

Abstract Metal oxides are promising for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting due to their robustness and low cost. However, poor charge carrier transport impedes activity, particularly at low-bias voltage. Here we demonstrate the unusual effectiveness of phosphorus doping into bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ) photoanode efficient PEC splitting. The resulting BiVO shows a separation efficiency 80% 99% potentials as 0.6 1.0 V RHE , respectively. Theoretical simulation experimental analysis collectively verify that record performance originates from unique phosphorus-doped configuration with concurrently mediated density, trap states, small polaron hopping. With NiFeO x cocatalyst, achieves an applied bias photon-to-current 2.21% . mechanistic understanding enhancement properties provides key insights in state passivation hopping most photoactive metal oxides.