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Curing BiVO 4 Photoanodes with Ultraviolet Light Enhances Photoelectrocatalysis
Author(s) -
Li Tengfei,
He Jingfu,
Peña Bruno,
Berlinguette Curtis P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201509567
Subject(s) - photocurrent , ultraviolet , photochemistry , materials science , curing (chemistry) , optoelectronics , surface photovoltage , absorption spectroscopy , water splitting , irradiation , spectral line , cathodic protection , chemistry , catalysis , photocatalysis , optics , anode , spectroscopy , electrode , composite material , organic chemistry , physics , astronomy , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
Exposure of BiVO 4 photoanodes to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for extended time periods (e.g., 20 h) produces a morphological change and concomitant improvement in photo‐electrocatalytic (PEC) efficiency for driving water splitting directly by sunlight. The ∼230 mV cathodic shift in onset potential and doubling of the photocurrent at 1.23 V vs. RHE after UV curing are comparable to the effects engendered by the presence of a secondary catalyst layer. PEC measurements and absorption spectra indicate that the cathodic shift after UV curing corresponds to a suppression of charge recombination and a greater photovoltage generation caused by the shift of the flat‐band potential, and not an improvement in electrocatalytic activity or light absorption. Spectroscopic surface analysis suggests that surface defect sites, which are eliminated by UV curing, for the differences in observed charge recombination.