Constructing NiFe-metal-organic frameworks from NiFe-layered double hydroxide as a highly efficient cocatalyst for BiVO4 photoanode PEC water splitting

In this work, NiFe-metal-organic frameworks (NiFe-MOFs) cocatalyst was prepared from NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) through ligand assistance and constructed with BiVO4 as a novel composite photoanode. The photocurrent density of BiVO4 modified by NiFe-MOFs is increased by about 300%, and its stability is also remarkable improved. In addition, the incident photon-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) value of NiFe-MOFs/BiVO4 photoelectrode increases to 58% at 410 nm, and both the injection and separation efficiency have also been enhanced. The ameliorated OER performance can be put down to the NiFe-MOFs which significantly lifts the kinetics of water oxidation. These findings provide new ideas for the production of bimetal MOFs for efficiently promoting the performance of photoanode PEC.

Automated summary

In this study, a NiFe-metal-organic frameworks (NiFe-MOFs) cocatalyst was prepared and integrated with BiVO4 to construct a composite photoanode, leading to significant improvements in photocurrent density and stability. The NiFe-MOFs enhanced the incident photon-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) and improved the injection and separation efficiency of charge carriers, thus promoting the kinetics of water oxidation.