Heterostructured WO-TiVO thin-film photocatalyst for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting via solar irradiation has garnered significant interest due to its potential in large-scale renewable hydrogen production. Heterostructure materials have emerged as an effective strategy, demonstrating enhanced performance in photoelectrochemical water-splitting applications compared to individual photocatalysts. In this study, to augment the performance of sprayed TiVO thin films, a hydrothermally prepared WO underlayer was integrated beneath the spray pyrolised TiVO film. The consequent heterostructure demonstrated notable enhancements in optical, structural, microstructural attributes, and photocurrent properties. This improvement is attributed to the strategic deposition of WO underlayer, forming a heterostructure composite electrode. This led to a marked increase in photocurrent density for the WO/TiVO photoanode, reaching a peak of 740 μA/cm at an applied potential of 1.23 V vs RHE, about nine-fold that of standalone TiVO. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed a reduced semicircle for the heterostructure, indicating improved charge transfer compared to bare TiVO. The heterostructure photoelectrode exhibited enhanced charge carrier conductivity at the interface and sustained stability over 3 h. The distinct attributes of heterostructure photoelectrode present significant opportunities for devising highly efficient sunlight-driven water-splitting systems.