title: Synthesis of nanovoid Bi(2)WO(6) 2D ordered arrays as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
abstract: Herein we report a facile and economic method to prepare nanovoid Bi(2)WO(6) 2D ordered arrays employing a simple self-assembly procedure. The electrochemical properties and performance of the 2D nanoarray as a photoanode for water splitting are investigated and compared with a conventional photoanode of similar thickness. The 2D array photoanode shows a much higher photocurrent density and photon-to-H(2) conversion efficiency even with a small content of the Bi(2)WO(6) material. The enhancement is further studied and explained on the basis of the superiority of light scattering and photogenerated hole diffusion within the 2D array structure. This work provides a facile method to improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion systems by minimizing the charge-carrier diffusion length and reducing the light reflection, as well as reducing the amount of the semiconductor material (often costly and/or rare) present in the photoanode.
authors: Institut für Technische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany. zhang@iftc.uni-hannover.de
authors: Liwu
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Detlef
authors: D
authors: Bahnemann
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry*; D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D017785:Photons; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017973:Tungsten Compounds; D014867:Water; D006859:Hydrogen; D001729:Bismuth