Facile synthesis of BiFeO3/Bi2O3 composite photocathode with improved photoelectrochemical performance

BiFeO3-based ferroelectrics are promising photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. To further enhance its photoelectrocatalytic activity, BiFeO3/Bi2O3 composite is designed by a simple and cost-effective flame annealing process in this work. The obtained BiFeO3/Bi2O3 photocathode achieves a photocurrent density of -0.21 mA/cm(-2) at 0.38 V-RHE, with a 160 mV positive shift of the onset potential. Furthermore, the photon-to-current efficiency of BiFeO3/Bi2O3 displays an obvious enhancement. The improved PEC performance is due to the formation of composite, which reduces the recombination of carriers, promotes interfacial charge transfer and provides more active sites. Our work provides a promising approach to improve the performance of ferroelectric photoelectrodes.

Automated summary

In this study, BiFeO3/Bi2O3 composite was designed by a simple and cost-effective flame annealing process to enhance the photoelectrocatalytic activity of BiFeO3-based ferroelectrics. The obtained BiFeO3/Bi2O3 photocathode exhibited improved PEC performance, attributed to reduced carrier recombination, promoted interfacial charge transfer, and increased active sites. Our work provides a promising approach to improve the performance of ferroelectric photoelectrodes.