Layered double hydroxide modified bismuth vanadate as an efficient photoanode for enhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted significant interest as a promising approach for producing clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. An efficient photoanode is critical for enhancing PEC water splitting. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) is a widely recognized photoanode for PEC applications due to its visible light absorption, suitable valence band position for water oxidation, and outstanding potential for modifications. Nevertheless, sluggish water oxidation rates, severe charge recombination, limited hole diffusion length, and inadequate electron transport properties restrict the PEC performance of BiVO₄. To surmount these constraints, incorporating layered double hydroxides (LDHs) onto BiVO₄ photoanodes has emerged as a promising approach for enhancing the performance. Herein, the latest advancements in employing LDHs to decorate BiVO₄ photoanodes for enhancing PEC water splitting have been thoroughly studied and outlined. Initially, the fundamental principles of PEC water splitting and the roles of LDHs are summarized. Secondly, it covers the development of different composite structures, including BiVO₄ combined with bimetallic and trimetallic LDHs, as well as other BiVO₄-based composites such as BiVO₄/metal oxide, metal sulfide, and various charge transport layers integrated with LDHs. Additionally, LDH composites incorporating materials like graphene, carbon dots, quantum dots, single-atom catalysts, and techniques for surface engineering and LDH exfoliation with BiVO₄ are discussed. The research analyzes the design principles of these composites, with a specific focus on how LDHs enhance the performance of BiVO₄ by increasing the efficiency and stability through synergistic effects. Finally, challenges and perspectives in future research toward developing efficient and stable BiVO₄/LDHs photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting are described.