Visible-light photocatalytic fuel cell with BiVO4/UiO-66/TiO2/Ti photoanode efficient degradation of Rhodamine B and stable generation of electricity

In order to improve the light utilization and electron transfer efficiency of the PFC system, an efficient BiVO4/UiO-66/TiO2/Ti photoanode with visible-light response was prepared by a simple sol-gel method and a hydrothermal synthesis method. The photocurrent density of the BiVO4/UiO-66/TiO2/Ti was 0.72 mA/cm(2) at 0.6 V (vs. SCE) under visible light, which was 2.4 times that of BiVO4/TiO2/Ti photoanode, indicating UiO-66 used as the electron transmission medium between TiO2 and BiVO4 could enhance the electron transmission efficiency. With BiVO4/UiO-66/TiO2 /Ti photoanode and Cu2O/Cu cathode, the visible-light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) exhibited high organics degradation and electricity conversion performance. The short circuit photocurrent density (Jsc), maximum power output and degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B were 0.23 mA.cm(-2), 29.26 mu W.cm(-2) and 91.50% in 2 h, respectively.

Automated summary

An efficient BiVO4/UiO-66/TiO2/Ti photoanode was prepared by a sol-gel and hydrothermal synthesis method, showing improved light utilization and electron transfer efficiency. The visible-light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) with this structure exhibited high organics degradation and electricity conversion performance, with short circuit photocurrent density, maximum power output, and degradation efficiency showing promising results.