Improving the charge properties of the WO3 photoanode using a BiFeO3 ferroelectric nanolayer

Tungstic oxide (WO3) is a promising visible-light-responsive photoanode material, but it has poor charge transport and collection properties. In this study, a WO3/BiFeO3 core/shell photoanode (WO3/BFO) with enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance was successfully prepared using a facile spin-coating method. The optimal WO3/BFO shows an excellently enhanced and stable photocurrent density of similar to 2.83 mA cm(-2) at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is similar to 244% more than WO3 under AM 1.5 illumination. The results of Mott-Schottky tests, intensity modulated photoelectrochemical spectroscopy and transient photocurrent decay indicated that the BFO ferroelectric nanolayer significantly enhances the charge density of the WO3/BFO, and improves its charge transport and separation property and charge lifetime, which could be the reason for the enhanced PEC activity of WO3/BFO.

Automated summary

By introducing a ferroelectric nanolayer onto tungstic oxide nanomaterial, this study successfully enhanced the photoelectrochemical performance, significantly increasing the photocurrent density. The results indicate that the ferroelectric nanolayer plays a crucial role in improving charge transport and separation properties.