title: A hole inversion layer at the BiVO4/Bi4V2O11 interface produces a high tunable photovoltage for water splitting.
abstract: The conversion of solar energy into hydrogen fuel by splitting water into photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) is an appealing strategy to store energy and minimize the extensive use of fossil fuels. The key requirement for efficient water splitting is producing a large band bending (photovoltage) at the semiconductor to improve the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. Therefore, an attractive method consists in creating internal electrical fields inside the PEC to render more favorable band bending for water splitting. Coupling ferroelectric materials exhibiting spontaneous polarization with visible light photoactive semiconductors can be a likely approach to getting higher photovoltage outputs. The spontaneous electric polarization tends to promote the desirable separation of photogenerated electron- hole pairs and can produce photovoltages higher than that obtained from a conventional p-n heterojunction. Herein, we demonstrate that a hole inversion layer induced by a ferroelectric Bi4V2O11 perovskite at the n-type BiVO4 interface creates a virtual p-n junction with high photovoltage, which is suitable for water splitting. The photovoltage output can be boosted by changing the polarization by doping the ferroelectric material with tungsten in order to produce the relatively large photovoltage of 1.39 V, decreasing the surface recombination and enhancing the photocurrent as much as 180%.
authors: Institute of Science, Engineering and Technology (ICET), Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus Mucuri, 39803-371 Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil.|Graduate Program in Biofuels, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus JK, 39100-000 Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Wayler S
authors: WS
authors: Dos Santos
authors: Institute of Science, Engineering and Technology (ICET), Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus Mucuri, 39803-371 Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Mariandry
authors: M
authors: Rodriguez
authors: Institute of Science, Engineering and Technology (ICET), Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus Mucuri, 39803-371 Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: André S
authors: AS
authors: Afonso
authors: Department of Chemistry, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus JK, 39100-000 Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: João P
authors: JP
authors: Mesquita
authors: Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Lucas L
authors: LL
authors: Nascimento
authors: Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), 38400-902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Antônio O T
authors: AO
authors: Patrocínio
authors: Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), 35400-000 Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Adilson C
authors: AC
authors: Silva
authors: Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Luiz C A
authors: LC
authors: Oliveira
authors: Graduate Program in Biofuels, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus JK, 39100-000 Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: José D
authors: JD
authors: Fabris
authors: Institute of Science, Engineering and Technology (ICET), Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Campus Mucuri, 39803-371 Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Márcio C
authors: MC
authors: Pereira
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry*; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D012666:Semiconductors; D012993:Solar Energy; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014638:Vanadates / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D014867:Water; C059910:perovskite; C091754:bismuth vanadium tetraoxide; D014638:Vanadates; D006859:Hydrogen; D014025:Titanium; D001729:Bismuth