MIL-53(Fe)@BiOBr/TCN/Ti photoanode assembled visible light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell to enhance rhodamine B degradation and electricity generation

In this research, MIL-53(Fe)@BiOBr/TCN/Ti photoanode was created using the secondary silica sol drop coating method, and assembled with Cu cathode to form photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) to degrade rhodamine B and generate electricity. The resulting PFC has high visible light response and photocatalytic activity . It has a rhodamine B degradation efficiency of 92.19%, a maximum power density of 6.2 μW cm −2 , and a maximum photocurrent density of 0.11 mA cm −2 . Its strong photocatalysis capabilities benefits from the wider light absorption range and lower charge carrier recombination rate of the photoanode. The double Z-scheme heterojunction formed among BiOBr, MIL-53(Fe) and TCN in the composite catalyst of the photoanode provide more transfer channels for photogenerated e − and encourage the separation of e − -h + pairs. ∙OH and ∙O - 2 are the main active substances for rhodamine B degradation. This study offers a novel approach to the development of high-efficiency photoanodes for PFC.