Photoactive devices based on heterojunctions of bismuth vanadate and tungsten oxide over graphene

• Grant number: 19/26010-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Grantee: Bárbara Scola Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/12018-8 - Study of the growth mechanism of tungsten oxide onto graphene oxide via microwave-assisted approach, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is considered one of the most promising materials for developing photoanodes for hydrogen production from water, using sunlight as heating source. However, this material exhibits high recombination rates, which limits its applicability. Tungsten doping and heterojunction formation with tungsten oxide (WO3), are the most attractive strategies to improve the photoelectrocatalytic performance of BiVO4. Besides that, aiming to optimize these systems, to obtain devices with the highest efficiency, it is crucial to understand better the electron injection and recombination processes. These processes are deeply related to properties such as crystalline structure, and nature of the chemical species that make up the heterojunction interface. The control of these properties is through the method adopted during its synthesis.In this context, the present proposal aims the preparation of photoanodes based on heterojunctions of tungsten-doped BiVO4 and WO3, synthesized through microwave-assisted routes. The base of the electrode will be a conductor substrate of graphene that will perform the functions of promoting fast electron transport and the ordered growth of WO3 nanostructures. The resultant photoanodes will be characterized through conventional methods and applied for water photosplitting. The transport, injection, and photogenerated charge separation properties will be investigated using electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and time-resolved spectroscopies. The chemical composition of the species that form the heterojunction interface will be investigated using nano-imaging techniques. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RODRIGUES, BARBARA SCOLA; BRANCO, CAROLYNE M.; VICENTE, MARCOS R. S.; RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ, JOAQUIN; DE SOUZA, JULIANA DOS SANTOS. Influence of the Solvent Used for Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of W-BiVO4 on Properties and Photoelectroactivity of W-BiVO4/WO3. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 9, n. 16, p. 15-pg., 2022-08-26. (17/11395-7, 19/00904-3, 19/26010-9)

RODRIGUES, BARBARA SCOLA; BRANCO, CAROLYNE MARTINS; CORIO, PAOLA; SOUZA, JULIANA S.. Controlling Bismuth Vanadate Morphology and Crystalline Structure through Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Conditions. Crystal Growth & Design, v. 20, n. 6, p. 3673-3685, JUN 3 2020. (16/21070-5, 17/11395-7, 17/26633-0, 19/26010-9)

RODRIGUES, BARBARA S.; ALMEIDA, VINICIUS A.; CLAUDINO, CAROLINE H.; PONCE-DE-LEON, CARLOS; BAVYKIN, DMITRY V.; SOUZA, JULIANA S.. Direct polymerization of polyheptazine in the interlamelar spaces of titanate nanotubes enhances visible-light response. JOURNAL OF NANOSTRUCTURE IN CHEMISTRY, v. 10, n. 4, p. 14-pg., 2020-10-07. (19/26010-9, 17/11395-7)

RODRIGUES, BARBARA S.; VICENTE, MARCOS R. S.; SOUZA, JULIANA S.. Investigating the role of microwave thermal and non-thermal effects on WO₃-graphene oxide composite synthesis. RSC ADVANCES, v. 13, n. 38, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-04. (21/05958-4, 19/26010-9)