Assembling of Bi atoms on TiO2 nanorods boosts photoelectrochemical water splitting of semiconductors. Issue 7 (6th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pang, Yajun; Zang, Wenjie; Kou, Zongkui; Zhang, Lei; Xu, Guangqing; Lv, Jun; Gao, Xiaorui; Pan, Zhenghui; Wang, John; Wu, Yucheng
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 7(2020)
• Page Start: 4302
• Page End: 4308
• Publication Date: 2020-02-06
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00004c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Atom-dispersed Bi metal along the TiO2 nanorods is properly designed as an efficiency co-catalyst to boost the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting with a three-fold enhancement on photocurrent density. Abstract : Low photoconversion efficiency, high charge transfer resistance and fast recombination rate are the bottlenecks of semiconductor nanomaterials in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, where the introduction of an appropriate co-catalyst is an effective strategy to improve their performance. In the present study, we have purposely designed atomic-scale dispersed bismuth (Bi) assembled on titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2 ), and demonstrated its effective role as a co-catalyst in enhancing the PEC water splitting performance of TiO2 . As a result, functionalized Bi/TiO2 generates a high photocurrent intensity at 1.23 VRHE under simulated solar light irradiation, which is 4-fold higher than that of pristine TiO2, exhibiting a significantly improved PEC performance for water splitting. The strategy presented in this study opens a new window for the construction of non-precious metals dispersed at atomic scales as efficient co-catalysts for realizing sustainable solar energy-driven energy conversion and storage.