Synergetic catalytic behavior of AgNi-OH-Pi nanostructures on Zr:BiVO4 photoanode for improved stability and photoelectrochemical water splitting performance

Photoelectrocatalytic methodologies are attractive for the longstanding storage of renewable energy via direct transformation of solar energy into fuels and chemicals. Controlled electrodeposition of thin and homogeneous nickel hydroxylphosphate (Ni-OH-Pi) nanoparticle films on Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes was achieved, wherein the Ni-OH-Pi co-catalyst increased the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation and stability of photoanodes comprising silver phosphate (AgPi) on Zr:BiVO4 (AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4). Evaluation of the optical, structural, and morphological properties revealed that the AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr: BiVO4 photoanodes exhibited enhanced PEC behavior with photocurrent densities (J(ph)) of similar to 3.14 mA cm(-2) for water oxidation with long-term stability over 60 h and similar to 4.15 mA cm(-2) for hydrogen peroxide (0.5 M H2O2) oxidation. The enhanced PEC of the fabricated AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes was attributed to the synergetic influence of strong visible-light absorption, enhanced charge separation-transport, and exceptional surface properties. Considering their comparatively superior photocatalytic activity, the AgNi-OH-Pi/Zr:BiVO4 photoanodes are potential electrode candidates in solar water splitting, dye-sensitized solar cells, and photocatalysis. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.