Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Water Splitting on a 2D Heterostructure of Black Phosphorus/Bismuth Vanadate Using Visible Light

Spontaneously solar-driven water splitting to produce H-2 and O-2, that is, the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy is a dream of mankind. However, it is difficult to make overall water splitting feasible without using any sacrificial agents and external bias. Drawing inspiration from nature, a new artificial Z-scheme photocatalytic system has been designed herein based on the two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure of black phosphorus (BP)/bismuth vanadate (BiVO4). An effective charge separation makes possible the reduction and oxidation of water on BP and BiVO4, respectively. The optimum H-2 and O-2 production rates on BP/BiVO4 were approximately 160 and 102 mu molg(-1)h(-1) under irradiation of light with a wavelength longer than 420nm, without using any sacrificial agents or external bias.