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Low-bias photoelectrochemical water splitting via mediating trap states and small polaron hopping

Author

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  • Hao Wu

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District)

  • Lei Zhang

    (Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus)

  • Aijun Du

    (Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus)

  • Rowshanak Irani

    (Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH)

  • Roel Krol

    (Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH)

  • Fatwa F. Abdi

    (Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH)

  • Yun Hau Ng

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District)

Abstract

Metal oxides are promising for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting due to their robustness and low cost. However, poor charge carrier transport impedes their activity, particularly at low-bias voltage. Here we demonstrate the unusual effectiveness of phosphorus doping into bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoanode for efficient low-bias PEC water splitting. The resulting BiVO4 photoanode shows a separation efficiency of 80% and 99% at potentials as low as 0.6 and 1.0 VRHE, respectively. Theoretical simulation and experimental analysis collectively verify that the record performance originates from the unique phosphorus-doped BiVO4 configuration with concurrently mediated carrier density, trap states, and small polaron hopping. With NiFeOx cocatalyst, the BiVO4 photoanode achieves an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 2.21% at 0.6 VRHE. The mechanistic understanding of the enhancement of BiVO4 properties provides key insights in trap state passivation and polaron hopping for most photoactive metal oxides.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Wu & Lei Zhang & Aijun Du & Rowshanak Irani & Roel Krol & Fatwa F. Abdi & Yun Hau Ng, 2022. "Low-bias photoelectrochemical water splitting via mediating trap states and small polaron hopping," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33905-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33905-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Lohaus & Andreas Klein & Wolfram Jaegermann, 2018. "Author Correction: Limitation of Fermi level shifts by polaron defect states in hematite photoelectrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-1, December.
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    4. Yongbo Kuang & Qingxin Jia & Guijun Ma & Takashi Hisatomi & Tsutomu Minegishi & Hiroshi Nishiyama & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Naoya Shibata & Taro Yamada & Akihiko Kudo & Kazunari Domen, 2017. "Ultrastable low-bias water splitting photoanodes via photocorrosion inhibition and in situ catalyst regeneration," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, January.
    5. Tae Woo Kim & Yuan Ping & Giulia A. Galli & Kyoung-Shin Choi, 2015. "Simultaneous enhancements in photon absorption and charge transport of bismuth vanadate photoanodes for solar water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Christian Lohaus & Andreas Klein & Wolfram Jaegermann, 2018. "Limitation of Fermi level shifts by polaron defect states in hematite photoelectrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
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    1. Xin Wang & Boyan Liu & Siqing Ma & Yingjuan Zhang & Lianzhou Wang & Gangqiang Zhu & Wei Huang & Songcan Wang, 2024. "Induced dipole moments in amorphous ZnCdS catalysts facilitate photocatalytic H2 evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Qi Dang & Wei Zhang & Jiqing Liu & Liting Wang & Deli Wu & Dejin Wang & Zhendong Lei & Liang Tang, 2023. "Bias-free driven ion assisted photoelectrochemical system for sustainable wastewater treatment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Chao Zhen & Xiangtao Chen & Ruotian Chen & Fengtao Fan & Xiaoxiang Xu & Yuyang Kang & Jingdong Guo & Lianzhou Wang & Gao Qing (Max) Lu & Kazunari Domen & Hui-Ming Cheng & Gang Liu, 2024. "Liquid metal-embraced photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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