Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2025, Vol. 75: 115-124.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64752-8

• Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Exploring internal interface bonding and multi-metal synergy for boosting photoelectrochemical water splitting

Sui Qia, Li Huia, Tao Chena,d, Li Rana, Gao Yujiea, Yang Tingtinga, Zheng Hongshuaia, Xia Lixina,b,*(), Li Feic,*(), Jiang Yia,*()   

  1. aCollege of Chemistry, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, Liaoning, China
    bYingkou Institute of Technology, Yingkou 115100, Liaoning, China
    cState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China
    dSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • Received:2025-03-10 Accepted:2025-05-06 Online:2025-08-18 Published:2025-07-22
  • Contact: *E-mail: lixinxia@lnu.edu.cn (L. Xia), lifei@dlut.edu.cn (F. Li), jiangyi@lnu.edu.cn (Y. Jiang).
  • Supported by:
    National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFA0911900);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22179056);Key Projects of Liaoning Provincial Education Department(JYTZD2023001);Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(XLYC2002097);Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(XLYC1807210);Fundamental Research Funds for Public Universities in Liaoning(LJ232410140033)

Abstract:

In situ growth of co-catalysts on BiVO4 (BVO) to enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance has been extensively reported. However, the understanding of the synergistic effects among various elements, especially at the interface between the semiconductor and cocatalyst, has received insufficient attention. In this study, we report a Co, Ni and Mn trimetallic fluoride-modified BVO photoanode featuring a unique interfacial chemical bond (V-F). Under AM 1.5 G illumination, an exciting photocurrent density of 6.05 mA cm-2 was achieved at 1.23 V vs. RHE by the integrated BVO/CoNi0.18Mn0.12(OH)xF photoanode and over 98% of the initial photocurrent was maintained after 10 h of photoelectrolysis. Control experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the V-F interfacial bond stabilizes the Co2+ active sites. It serves as a transmission gear, interlinking the migration of interfacial charge and the regeneration of cocatalyst, endowing the photoanode with significant activity and stability. Furthermore, we have systematically elucidated the role of the individual Co, Ni, and Mn components in the synergistic cocatalyst layer. The interfacial modification provides novel insights into developing advanced photoanodes towards PEC water splitting.

Key words: Bismuth vanadate, Photoelectrochemical water oxidation, Photoanode, Interface bonding, Multi-metal synergy