Evaluation of rare earth doping in BiVO4 semiconductors obtained by different synthesis routes

• Grant number: 25/06245-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Byanca Stefani Salvati
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The main objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of rare earth doping in BiVO4 semiconductors synthesized by different methods. The oxides will be synthesized through the hydrothermal technique and by the microwave method. The synthesized materials will be doped with lanthanum and yttrium using a 2^2 factorial design, varying the synthesis method and the doping element. With doping, it is expected that the band gap energy of BiVO4 will be modulated, making this type of material more photoactive in the visible light range, with low recombination rates of the electron-hole pair. To estimate the energy between the bands, the Tauc method will be used, which considers transmittance and reflectance spectra with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 900 nm. Cyclic voltammetry will also be used to estimate the energy between the bands, through the reduction and oxidation potentials, which are related to the conduction and valence band energies. Other characterizations will include X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical experiments will be conducted, and with the help of UV/Vis spectrophotometry, the decolorization efficiency of organic dyes will be evaluated. Finally, the material's ability to reduce water for H2 production will be assessed. (AU)