Enhancing photoelectrochemical performance of the Bi2MoO6 photoanode by ferroelectric polarization regulation. Issue 35 (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Zhongshuai; Cui, Zongyang; Shi, Jiafeng; Lin, Cheng; Zhang, Kan; Yuan, Guoliang; Liu, Jun-Ming
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 35(2020)
• Page Start: 18446
• Page End: 18454
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr02809f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The photoelectrochemical performance of the Bi2 MoO6 -nanopillar photoanode is largely enhanced when its ferroelectric polarization orients toward the ITO layer. Abstract : Photoelectrochemical water splitting provides a promising strategy for converting solar energy into chemical fuels and has attracted extensive interest. Herein, Bi2 MoO6 nanopillars with large surface areas were fabricated on an ITO-coated glass substrate and their photoelectrochemical properties are enhanced through appropriate manipulation of ferroelectric polarization. The Bi2 MoO6 photoanode with polarization orientation toward ITO shows an enhanced photocurrent density of 250 μA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, which is 28% higher than that of pristine Bi2 MoO6 nanopillars without macroscopic polarization. The corresponding depolarization electric field benefits the separation of light-excited electron–hole pairs, thus minimizing the recombination of charge carriers and further enhancing the photocurrent current density. Our work offers a new strategy of Bi2 MoO6 -based photoelectrochemical devices with great potential of application in the conversion of solar energy into chemical fuels.