Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting via engineered surface defects of BiPO4 nanorod photoanodes

Herein, we report on the defect engineering of BiPO4 nanorods (NRs) via a facile room-temperature template-free co-precipitation method, followed by hydrogen treatment. The hydrogen treatment temperature determined the type of induced defects in the fabricated BiPO4 NRs and consequently their photocatalytic performance. Upon varying the annealing temperature, the x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed phase transformation and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed variation in the oxygen vacancy content. At moderate treatment temperatures (200-300 degrees C), shallow defects were predominant, which extended the optical activity of the material to the visible region and increased the photocurrent 3 times when compared to that of bare BiPO4 NRs. However, treatment at higher temperatures completely altered the crystalline structure, destructed the morphology of the BiPO4 NRs, and severely affected the photoelectrochemical performance. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The defect engineering of BiPO4 nanorods via hydrogen treatment can enhance photocatalytic performance, but high-temperature treatment may lead to structural damage.