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Oxygen vacancy induced defect dipoles in BiVO4 for photoelectrocatalytic partial oxidation of methane

Author

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  • Xianlong Li

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Zhiliang Wang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Alireza Sasani

    (Université de Liège)

  • Ardeshir Baktash

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Kai Wang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Haijiao Lu

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Jiakang You

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Peng Chen

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Ping Chen

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Yifan Bao

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Shujun Zhang

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Gang Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Lianzhou Wang

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

A strong driving force for charge separation and transfer in semiconductors is essential for designing effective photoelectrodes for solar energy conversion. While defect engineering and polarization alignment can enhance this process, their potential interference within a photoelectrode remains unclear. Here we show that oxygen vacancies in bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) can create defect dipoles due to a disruption of symmetry. The modified photoelectrodes exhibit a strong correlation between charge separation and transfer capability and external electrical poling, which is not seen in unmodified samples. Applying poling at −150 Volt boosts charge separation and transfer efficiency to over 90%. A photocurrent density of 6.3 mA cm−2 is achieved on the photoelectrode after loading with a nickel-iron oxide-based cocatalyst. Furthermore, using generated holes for methane partial oxidation can produce methanol with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 6%. These findings provide valuable insights into the photoelectrocatalytic conversion of greenhouse gases into valuable chemical products.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianlong Li & Zhiliang Wang & Alireza Sasani & Ardeshir Baktash & Kai Wang & Haijiao Lu & Jiakang You & Peng Chen & Ping Chen & Yifan Bao & Shujun Zhang & Gang Liu & Lianzhou Wang, 2024. "Oxygen vacancy induced defect dipoles in BiVO4 for photoelectrocatalytic partial oxidation of methane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53426-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53426-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuxiang Hu & Yuanyuan Pan & Zhiliang Wang & Tongen Lin & Yuying Gao & Bin Luo & Han Hu & Fengtao Fan & Gang Liu & Lianzhou Wang, 2020. "Lattice distortion induced internal electric field in TiO2 photoelectrode for efficient charge separation and transfer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Yu Qi & Jiangwei Zhang & Yuan Kong & Yue Zhao & Shanshan Chen & Deng Li & Wei Liu & Yifan Chen & Tengfeng Xie & Junyan Cui & Can Li & Kazunari Domen & Fuxiang Zhang, 2022. "Unraveling of cocatalysts photodeposited selectively on facets of BiVO4 to boost solar water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Yueshen Wu & Zhan Jiang & Xu Lu & Yongye Liang & Hailiang Wang, 2019. "Domino electroreduction of CO2 to methanol on a molecular catalyst," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7784), pages 639-642, November.
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