Multi-Modal Optimization of Bismuth Vanadate Photoanodes via Combinatorial Alloying and Hydrogen Processing

2019: Chem. Commun.

https://doi.org/10.1039/C8CC07156J

P. F. Newhouse, D. Guevarra, M. Umehara, D. A. Boyd, L. Zhou, J. K. Cooper, J. A. Haber, J. M. Gregoire*

Alloying transition metals, such as Mo, into BiVO₄ has emerged as the primary mechanism for improving carrier transport in this photoanode for solar fuels production. The present work establishes the generality of improving photoelectrochemical performance through co-alloying with a transition metal electron donor and a structure-modulating rare earth. Further improvement for all such alloys is obtained by annealing the oxide materials in H₂, ultimately producing photoanodes with above 3 mA cm⁻² photocurrent density under AM 1.5G illumination, in the top tier of compact BiVO₄ films.