Nanocone-substrated BiVO4-Mo/MOFs photoanodes for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoanode is limited by the cascade-dynamic processes, mainly including light absorption , charge separation, and surface reaction. This work adopted a strategy of nanocones modification on FTO substrate (FTO-NC) to enhance light utilization and photoelectrons collection for improved PEC water splitting . Comparative studies showed that FTO-NC enhanced the light scattering, promoting the conversion process of photon to electron/hole and enlarging the effective surface area of BiVO 4 for surface reaction. Meanwhile, cooperative Mo-doping and Co-MOF decoration improved the bulk electron transportation in BiVO 4 , hole migration towards the electrode surface , and accelerated the water oxidation reaction of photogenerated holes. The photocurrent density of FTO-NC/BiVO 4 -Mo/MOFs reached 3.56 mA cm −2 , 6.14 times that of pristine BiVO 4 . The IPCE of FTO-NC/BiVO 4 -Mo/MOFs photoanode achieve 60% at 1.23 V vs. RHE, demonstrating a significantly enhanced light utilization performance. This work presents new insight into boosting cascade-dynamic processes through collaborative strategies for highly efficient PEC water-splitting.