Low photoconversion efficiency, high charge transfer resistance and fast recombination rate are the bottleneck parameters of semiconductor nanomaterials in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, where the introduction of an appropriate co-catalyst is an effective strategy to improve the performance. In the present study, we have purposely designed atomic-scale dispersed bismuth (Bi) assembled on titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2), and demonstrated its effective role as a co-catalyst in enhancing the PEC water splitting performance of TiO2. As a result, the functionalized Bi/TiO2 generates a high photocurrent intensity at 1.23 VRHE under simulated solar light irradiation, which is 4-fold higher than that of prinstine TiO2, presenting a singificantly improved PEC performance for water splitting. The strategy presented in this study opens a new window for the construction of non-precious metals dispersed at atomic scales as an efficient co-catalyst for realizing sustainable solar energy-driven energy conversion and storage.

Atomic-scale dispersed bismuth (Bi) assembled on TiO2 nanorods boosts photoelectrochemical water splitting of semiconductors

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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