Facile fabrication of an efficient BiVO4 thin film electrode for water splitting under visible light irradiation.

An efficient BiVO(4) thin film electrode for overall water splitting was prepared by dipping an F-doped SnO(2) (FTO) substrate electrode in an aqueous nitric acid solution of Bi(NO(3))(3) and NH(4)VO(3), and subsequently calcining it. X-ray diffraction of the BiVO(4) thin film revealed that a photocatalytically active phase of scheelite-monoclinic BiVO(4) was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the surface of an FTO substrate was uniformly coated with the BiVO(4) film with 300-400 nm of the thickness. The BiVO(4) thin film electrode gave an excellent anodic photocurrent with 73% of an IPCE at 420 nm at 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Modification with CoO on the BiVO(4) electrode improved the photoelectrochemical property. A photoelectrochemical cell consisting of the BiVO(4) thin film electrode with and without CoO, and a Pt counter electrode was constructed for water splitting under visible light irradiation and simulated sunlight irradiation. Photocurrent due to water splitting to form H(2) and O(2) was confirmed with applying an external bias smaller than 1.23 V that is a theoretical voltage for electrolysis of water. Water splitting without applying external bias under visible light irradiation was demonstrated using a SrTiO(3)Rh photocathode and the BiVO(4) photoanode.