Facile one-step synthesis of a WO/ZnWO heterojunction modified using ZnFe LDH enhances the PEC water splitting efficiency

• Published in: Dalton transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry 2024-10, Vol.53 (41), p.1759-177
• Main Authors: Liu, ZiYang, Jia, Shiyu, Hu, Yiwen, Fang, Yanling, Feng, Yongjun, Li, Dianqing, Bai, Shouli, Luo, Ruixian, Chen, Aifan
• Format: Article
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01883d

Photoelectrochemical water splitting represents a promising approach for directly converting solar energy into green hydrogen, offering a potential solution to the challenges of energy shortages and environmental pollution. In this work, a WO 3 /ZnWO 4 binary heterojunction was synthesised by a simple and effective one-step drop casting method to enhance the charge separation efficiency; ZnFe LDH was deposited on the surface of the heterojunction with the aim of accelerating water oxidation and synergising with the heterojunction to enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of the photoanode. The photocurrent density of the WO 3 /ZnWO 4 /ZnFe LDH electrode can reach 2.1 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V ( vs. RHE). This value is approximately 4 times greater than that observed for pure WO 3 (0.53 mA cm −2 ). The IPCE and ABPE were able to improve by 3.1 times and 6 times, respectively. A novel and efficient WO 3 /ZnWO 4 /ZnFe LDH photoanode has been successfully prepared by a one-step drop casting and electrodeposition method.