BiOI Nanosheets Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition and Its Conversion to Highly Efficient BiVO4 Photoanode

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ) has been identified as one of the excellent visible-light-responsive photoanode for use in the photoelectrochemical water splitting. Recently intense research efforts have been devoted to the development of highly efficient BiVO 4 photoanode. Herein, we reported a low-cost and scalable method for preparing nanostructured BiVO 4 film. A much enhanced photocurrent (1.5 mA•cm −2 ) was obtained for such film, which was 6.5 times higher than that of planar film at 1.23 V [vs. RHE (Reversible Hydrogen Electrode)]. The method provides an eco-friendly, reproducible and facile way to scale up on different substrates with attractive potential.