Modifications of BiVO4 Semiconductors for Oxidation of Water and Detoxification of Organic Waste

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical water splitting process has a lucid and efficacious impact, which emulates the natural photosynthesis process by converting solar energy into chemical energy. The construction of a PEC system can convert H2O to H2 or CO2 to C-based fuels. To achieve artificial photosynthesis, rate-determining kinetics of the OER is regarded as a highly efficient photo-anode. BiVO4 grabbed strong attention as a photoanode in the communal of PEC. Owing to a moderate bandgap and the Earth-abundant nature of the constituents, it is considered an inexpensive n-type semiconductor for PEC H2O splitting. This chapter discussed the recent progress of BiVO4-based photoanodes fabrication, including control in the surface, effects of dopant, different synthesis techniques, co-catalyst, etc. Typical unbiased tandem devices of a photoanode system in the presence of BiVO4 are also reflected. The report also demonstrated the photocatalysis principles regarding the degradation of organic pollutants.