Facile synthesis of tungsten oxide – Bismuth vanadate nanoflakes as photoanode material for solar water splitting. (2nd February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibrahim, Akram A.M.; Khan, Ibrahim; Iqbal, Naseer; Qurashi, Ahsanullhaq
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 3423
• Page End: 3430
• Publication Date: 2017-02-02
• Subjects: WO3 -- WO3/BiVO4 heterojunctions -- WO3/BiVO4 nanoflakes -- Solar water splitting; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: This research article describes the synthesis of hetero-structured WO3 /BiVO4 nanoflakes as photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The heterojunction WO3 /BiVO4 nanoflakes developed by facile hydrothermal method. WO3 /BiVO4 uniform films fabricated simply by drop casting technique onto indium oxide tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. Detailed morphological, structural and compositional characterization of WO3 /BiVO4 carried out by XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques. Optical properties studied by Raman and UV–VIS spectroscopy, respectively. The band gap energy of WO3 /BiVO4 hetero-junction estimated to be about 2.00 eV. These WO3 /BiVO4 heterojunction structures offered enhanced photo-conversion efficiency and increased photo-corrosion stability. In addition, these nanoflakes films showed significantly enhanced photo-electrochemical properties due to their high surface-area and enhanced separation of the photo-generated charge at the WO3 /BiVO4 interface. The effect of calcination temperature on WO3 /BiVO4 also investigated. Highlights: WO3 /BiVO4 nanoflakes as photoanode materials were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The photoelectrochemical performance of WO3 /BiVO4 nanoflakes was investigated. Photocurrent density generated by WO3 /BiVO4 nanoflakes (0.109 mA/cm 2 ). WO3 /BiVO4 heterojunction structure enhances charge-carrier separation.