Synthesis of nanoporous Mo:BiVO4 thin film photoanodes using the ultrasonic spray technique for visible-light water splitting

Abstract

The use of bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) scheelite structures for converting solar energy into fuels and chemicals for fast growth in lab to industrial scale for large-area modules is a key challenge for further development. Herein, we demonstrate a new ultrasonic spray technique as a scalable and versatile coating technique for coating pristine and doped nanoporous BiVO₄ thin film photoanodes directly on FTO-coated glass substrates for water splitting under visible irradiation. The successful Mo doping in BiVO₄ lattice was confirmed by various characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman, EDS and XPS. The Mo:BiVO₄ photoelectrode showed excellent performance with higher stability as compared to pristine BiVO₄ samples.