Enhanced twisting degree assisted overall water splitting on a novel nano-dodecahedron BiVO4-based heterojunction

A novel nano-dodecahedron Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 solid solution with a diameter ranging from 20 to 50 nm has been prepared initially. The sample was characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, element mapping, XPS, UV vis spectrum, Raman spectra, Mott-Schottky and XPS valence band analysis to reveal its properties. Photocatalytic experiment exhibited that H-Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 exhibited a much superior activity than the P-Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 among overall water splitting. The enhanced twisting degree in hetero-Bi0.5Y0.5VO4 (H-Bi0.5Y0.5VO4), which reconstructed the internal electric field and thus promoting the photogenerated carriers migrating directionally to form the direct Z-scheme heterojunction, should be responsible for the improvement of the photocatalytic performances. Furthermore, it also contributed to the morphology edge formation, which could be another critical factor for improving the photocarriers separation efficiency after simulating the rules of charge distribution. Additionally, results also indicated that the co-catalysts Rh@Rh2O3 could unlock a new charge transfer channel in the procedure of photocatalytic overall water splitting.