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Constructing BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite photoanode for photoelectrochemical conversion applications

Yousefzadeh, S ; Sharif University of Technology | 2016

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2015.12.024
  3. Publisher: Elsevier B.V , 2016
  4. Abstract:
  5. BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 as a novel nanocomposite photoanode was designed, synthesized and characterized for photoelectrochemical application. BiVO4/Graphene nanocomposite was initially synthesized by photocatalytic process and then, BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite thin film was prepared by deposition of the BiVO4/Graphene solution onto the surface of sol-gel derived TiO2 thin film. Morphology, crystal structure, surface chemical composition and optical properties of the synthesized BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite thin film were characterized and compared with the BiVO4/Graphene and pure TiO2 samples. Observations of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the TiO2 thin film was modified by the BiVO4/Graphene with high surface area. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, formation of anatase and monoclinic phase was confirmed for crystalline structure of TiO2 and BiVO4, respectively. UV-visible absorption spectra of the samples showed that the absorption edge and intensity of the BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite film were increased with respect to the TiO2 film. The BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite photoanode yielded a photocurrent density of ∼ 1.30 A/m2 as compared to 0.27 A/m2 for the TiO2 at 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl under UV-visible irradiation in similar condition. The improved photoelectrochemical activity is believed due to the enhanced light absorption and higher surface area of BiVO4/Graphene as well as better charge transfer of the photogenerated carriers at the BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 interfaces via Graphene
  6. Keywords:
  7. BiVO4/Graphene/TiO2 nanocomposite ; Charge transfer ; Crystal structure ; Deposition ; Electrochemistry ; Electromagnetic wave absorption ; Light absorption ; Nanocomposites ; Optical properties ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Sol-gel process ; Sol-gels ; Thin films ; Titanium dioxide ; X ray diffraction analysis ; Electron lifetime ; Photo-electrochemical conversions ; Photoconversion efficiency ; Photocurrent density ; Photoelectrochemical applications ; Scanning electron microscopy image ; Surface chemical composition ; UV visible absorption spectrum ; Nanocomposite films
  8. Source: Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry ; Volume 763 , 2016 , Pages 1-9 ; 15726657 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1572665715302502?via%3Dihub