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Nanodome Structured BiVO 4 /GaO x N 1− x Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation
Author(s) -
Kang Bong Kyun,
Han Gill Sang,
Baek Ji Hyun,
Lee Dong Geon,
Song Young Hyun,
Kwon Seok Bin,
Cho In Sun,
Jung Hyun Suk,
Yoon Dae Ho
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201700323
Subject(s) - photocurrent , materials science , heterojunction , layer (electronics) , coating , electrochemistry , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , bilayer , electrocatalyst , optoelectronics , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , electrode , chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , membrane , engineering
A nanodome structured BiVO 4 /GaO x N 1− x (BVO/GaON) bilayer photoanode that is prepared by a facile solution method, and that exhibits an improved photoelectrochemical water‐oxidation performance is reported. GaON porous nanospheres with an average size of ≈300 nm are first synthesized by a nitridation (NH 3 flow, 800 °C) of Ga 4 (OH) 10 SO 4 nanospheres. The GaON nanospheres are coated by a slurry coating method, and then the BVO layer is uniformly deposited by a sol–gel spin‐coating method to form the nanodome structure. Band alignment, light absorption, and relative electrochemical active surface area are investigated to elucidate the advantages of the nanodome structure, using UV–vis spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky analysis, and electrochemical measurements, respectively. It is found that the resulting nanodome structured BVO/GaON photoanode forms a type I heterojunction, in which the GaON layer acts as a hole mirror, and thus reduces interfacial recombination. More importantly, the nanodome structured BVO/GaON exhibits larger electrochemical surface area and improved light absorption properties compared to the planar‐type BVO/GaON photoanode, which originates from its unique nanodome structure. When combined with a CoO x electrocatalyst, the nanodome structured BVO/GaON shows largely improved photocurrent generation (water oxidation activity), and reduced onset potential values.