Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes with High Photovoltage as Photoanode and Photocathode in Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting.

Title Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes with High Photovoltage as Photoanode and Photocathode in Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting.
Authors W.S.Dos Santos; M. Rodriguez; J.M.O. Khoury; L.A. Nascimento; R.J.P. Ribeiro; J.P. Mesquita; A.C. Silva; F.G.E. Nogueira; M.C. Pereira
Journal ChemSusChem
DOI 10.1002/cssc.201701929
Abstract

Using dual-photoelectrode photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices based on earth-abundant metal oxides for unbiased water splitting is an attractive means of producing green Hfuel, but is challenging, owing to low photovoltages generated by PEC cells. This problem can be solved by coupling n-type BiVOwith n-type BiVOto create a virtual p/n junction due to the formation of a hole-inversion layer at the semiconductor interface. Thus, photoelectrodes with high photovoltage outputs were synthesized. The photoelectrodes exhibited features of p- and n-type semiconductors when illuminated under an applied bias, suggesting their use as photoanode and photocathode in a dual-photoelectrode PEC cell. This concept was proved by connecting a 1?mol?% W-doped BiVO/BiVOphotoanode with an undoped BiVO/BiVOphotocathode, which produced a high photovoltage of 1.54?V, sufficient to drive stand-alone water splitting with 0.95?% efficiency.

Citation W.S.Dos Santos; M. Rodriguez; J.M.O. Khoury; L.A. Nascimento; R.J.P. Ribeiro; J.P. Mesquita; A.C. Silva; F.G.E. Nogueira; M.C. Pereira.Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes with High Photovoltage as Photoanode and Photocathode in Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting.. ChemSusChem. 2018;11(3):589597. doi:10.1002/cssc.201701929

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Bismuth

See more Bismuth products. Bismuth (atomic symbol: Bi, atomic number: 83) is a Block P, Group 15, Period 6 element with an atomic radius of 208.98040. The number of electrons in each of Bismuth's shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5 and its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3. Bismuth Bohr ModelThe bismuth atom has a radius of 156 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 207 pm. In its elemental form, bismuth is a silvery white brittle metal. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals and, with the exception of mercury, its thermal conductivity is lower than any other metal. Elemental BismuthBismuth has a high electrical resistance, and has the highest Hall Effect of any metal (i.e., greatest increase in electrical resistance when placed in a magnetic field). Bismuth is found in bismuthinite and bismite. It is also produced as a byproduct of lead, copper, tin, molybdenum and tungsten extraction. Bismuth was first discovered by Early Man. The name Bismuth originates from the German word 'wissmuth,' meaning white mass.

Vanadium

See more Vanadium products. Vanadium (atomic symbol: V, atomic number: 23) is a Block D, Group 5, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 50.9415. Vanadium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Vanadium's shells is 2, 8, 11, 2 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d3 4s2. The vanadium atom has a radius of 134 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 179 pm. Vanadium was discovered by Andres Manuel del Rio in 1801 and first isolated by Nils Gabriel Sefström in 1830. In its elemental form, vanadium has a bluish-silver appearance. Elemental VanadiumIt is a hard, ductile transition metal that is primarily used as a steel additive and in alloys such as Titanium-6AL-4V, which is composed of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium and is the most common titanium alloy commercially produced. Vanadium is found in fossil fuel deposits and 65 different minerals. Vanadium is not found free in nature; however, once isolated it forms an oxide layer that stabilizes the free metal against further oxidation. Vanadium was named after the word "Vanadis" meaning goddess of beauty in Scandinavian mythology.

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