Engineering high-performance BiVO4-based Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical water splitting

Solar-driven semiconductor photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting presents a promising route for carbon-neutral energy conversion. As a model n-type oxide photoanode, bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) has been widely studied for PEC hydrogen production. However, its performance is hindered by severe charge recombination, sluggish surface reaction kinetics, and poor stability. Addressing these bottlenecks has therefore become a central focus of recent research. This review summarizes key strategies to enhance BiVO4 photoanodes, including morphology control, ion doping, defect engineering, heterostructure construction, co-catalyst modification, and magnetic field application. It analyzes how these approaches improve light absorption, charge separation, and surface catalysis, and critically assess their optimization efficacy across representative studies. In addition, application-related challenges such as Cl− corrosion and competing reactions are also discussed, along with emerging solutions for PEC seawater splitting. Finally, the review concludes with future research directions, aiming to guide the rational design of efficient and stable BiVO4-based systems for solar fuel production.