Comprehensive Evaluation of Nanosized Bismuth Tungstate (Bi2WO6) as Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Performance

• Published in: Journal of cluster science 2024-03, Vol.35 (3), p.875-889
• Main Authors: Trixy Nimmy Priscilla, D., Radha, R., Chitra, A., Geetha, S. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth compounds; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Electromagnetic absorption; Electrons; Energy; Green hydrogen; Inorganic Chemistry; Light irradiation; Metal oxides; Nanochemistry; Nanoparticles; Nitrates; Optical properties; Original Paper; Particle size; Photoanodes; Photocatalysis; Photoelectric effect; Photoelectrons; Physical Chemistry; Quantum dots; Spectrum analysis; Stability; Tungstates; Water splitting; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X ray powder diffraction
• ISSN: 1040-7278; 1572-8862
• DOI: 10.1007/s10876-023-02520-w

Bismuth based metal oxides are regarded as potential candidates for fabricating photoelectrodes due to their cost-effectiveness, high stability, and significant light absorbing capability. Hence, our present study focuses on rendering an extensive evaluation of nano-sized bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6 ) as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting activity. Bismuth tungstate nanoparticles have been prepared by a facile solvothermal route, and their structural, morphological, elemental composition, and optical properties have been characterized by employing powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) technique. For Bi 2 WO 6 sample, the onset potential obtained for OER under dark and light conditions are η dark  = 0.83 V and η light  = 0.71 V vs. Ag/AgCl respectively. The magnitude of photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs. RHE has been measured as 0.17 µA/cm 2 . From the Mott–Schottky plot, the flat band potential (E fb ) for Bi 2 WO 6 photocatalyst has been obtained as − 0.38 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Nanosized Bi 2 WO 6 exhibited low onset potential, good photocatalytic stability, and suitable band edge potentials facilitating them to act as an efficient photoanode under stimulated solar light irradiation. Graphical Abstract