bivo4/moo3 photoanode for the photoelectrochemical hydrogen production from water splitting: electrolyte effect

Bismuth vanadate (bivo4) is a promising photoanode material for the photoelectrochemical (pec) water splitting. however, its poor charge transfer, transport, and slow surface catalytic activity limit the expected theoretical efficiency. herein, we have investigated the effect of the type of electrolyte on the photoactivity of bivo4/moo3 photoanode. bivo4 was deposited on indium tin oxide (ito) using spin coating under the optimized experimental conditions and a thin layer of moo3 was then deposited on bivo4 by physical vapor deposition (pvd). then, the photoactivity of the bivo4/moo3 photoanode was examined in various electrolytes including koh, sodium nitrate (nano3), sodium sulfate (na2so4), and na2so4 containing tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (tris) solution. the results showed that the photocurrent densities were improved from few tens of μa cm-2 in na2so4 to 0.8 ma cm-2 in na2so4 solution containing tris (na2so4-tris).