Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production via Bi/BiVO4 photoanode under visible light irradiation

Photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production is a clean and sustainable way to combat energy crises and environmental issues. The performance of BiVO4 which acts as a promising photoanode could be effectively enhanced by loading with Bi nanoparticles. In this study, a viable method to fabricate Bi/BiVO4 electrode was proposed to enhance hydrogen production through a photoelectrocatalytic reaction. The results indicated that Bi nanoparticles loaded under optimal condition could obviously increase the photocurrent density of the BiVO4 electrode from 0.9 mA cm−2 to 2.0 mA cm−2 under visible light illumination. Furthermore, the photoelectrochemical hydrogen production efficiency could have a 2.5-fold improvement with the addition of 20 ppm phenol. The possible mechanism of the enhanced performance and the function of phenol in the overall reaction was discussed.