Bi-Based Metal-Organic Framework Decorated BiVO4 Photoelectrode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract

Decoration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is emerging as attractive co-catalysts for effective photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. In this work, we report Bi-based MOF nanoparticle decorated BiVO 4 thin film via a multi-step immersion process for efficient PEC water oxidation. Bi-MOF on the surface improves active sites and promotes surface charge transport under PEC reaction. The PEC performance of our Bi-MOF/BiVO 4 electrode is 2 times higher than that of the bare BiVO4 sample. In addition, the operation stability was significantly improved and its value is retained even after 24 h. These results reveal that Bi-based MOF decoration is an attractive strategy to improve the surface kinetics and stability as a co-catalyst and passivation layer for efficient water oxidation.