Heterojunction BiVO4/WO3 electrodes for enhanced photoactivity of water oxidation

• DOI: 10.1039/c0ee00743a
• Publication Date: 2011-03-23T09:30:47Z
• Authors: Suk Joon Hong; Seungok Lee; Jum Suk Jang; Jae Sung Lee
• Keywords: Visible spectrum; Photoelectric effect

Heterojunction electrodes were fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition of WO3 and BiVO4 on a conducting glass, investigated for photoelectrochemical water oxidation under simulated solar light. The electrode with the optimal composition four layers covered single layer showed enhanced photoactivity 74% relative to bare 730% BiVO4. According flat band potential optical gap measurements, both semiconductors can absorb visible light have edge positions that allow transfer photoelectrons from WO3. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed poor charge characteristics BiVO4, which accounts low measurements incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency spectra heterojunction utilized effectively up 540 nm covering absorption layers. Thus, in electrodes, photogenerated electrons are transferred good transport contribute high photoactivity. They combine merits two semiconductors, i.e. excellent capability