Stepping towards Solar Water Splitting: Recent Progress in Bismuth Vanadate Photoanodes

Abstract Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a rational and effective way that imitates natural photosynthesis for direct conversion of solar energy into clean hydrogen fuels. Developing highly efficient photoanodes to enhance the kinetics of the rate‐determining oxygen evolution reaction is generally regarded as the key to achieve artificial photosynthesis. Recently, bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ) has emerged as a promising photoanode material for PEC applications. In this Review, recent progress in designing BiVO 4 ‐based photoanodes is presented and summarized, including morphological control, heteroatom/defect doping, hetero‐/homo‐junction fabrication and co‐catalyst deposition. In addition, typical unbiased tandem devices of photoanode/photocathode and photovoltaic/photoanode systems using BiVO 4 as the front‐absorber photoanodes are reviewed. Finally, a future outlook is provided to highlight the issues to be addressed for commercial applications of PEC devices for solar water splitting.