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Synergetic catalytic behavior of AgNi-OH-Pi nanostructures on Zr:BiVO4 photoanode for improved stability and photoelectrochemical water splitting performance

2019; Elsevier BV; Volume: 371; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jcat.2019.01.024

1090-2694

Maged N. Shaddad, Prabhakarn Arunachalam, Asma A. Alothman, Abeer M. Beagan, Matar Alshalwi, Abdullah M. Al‐Mayouf,

Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors

Photoelectrocatalytic methodologies are attractive for the longstanding storage of renewable energy via direct transformation of solar energy into fuels and chemicals. Controlled electrodeposition of thin and homogeneous nickel hydroxylphosphate (Ni-OH-Pi) nanoparticle films on Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes was achieved, wherein the Ni-OH-Pi co-catalyst increased the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation and stability of photoanodes comprising silver phosphate (AgPi) on Zr:BiVO4 (AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4). Evaluation of the optical, structural, and morphological properties revealed that the AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes exhibited enhanced PEC behavior with photocurrent densities (Jph) of ∼3.14 mA cm−2 for water oxidation with long-term stability over 60 h and ∼4.15 mA cm−2 for hydrogen peroxide (0.5 M H2O2) oxidation. The enhanced PEC of the fabricated AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes was attributed to the synergetic influence of strong visible-light absorption, enhanced charge separation–transport, and exceptional surface properties. Considering their comparatively superior photocatalytic activity, the AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes are potential electrode candidates in solar water splitting, dye-sensitized solar cells, and photocatalysis.