Lattice Distortion Engineering over Ultrathin Monoclinic BiVO<sub>4</sub> Nanoflakes Triggering AQE up to 69.4% in Visible‐Light‐Driven Water Oxidation
Davin Philo, Shunqin Luo, Can He, Qi Wang, Fumihiko Ichihara, Lulu Jia, Mitsutake Oshikiri, Hong Pang, Yan Wang, Sijie Li, Gaoliang Yang, Xiaohui Ren, Huiwen Lin, Jinhua Ye
Abstract
Abstract An efficient water oxidation photocatalyst is imperative for the realization of artificial photosynthesis. Herein, a cooperative strategy is represented that enables 2D structure tailoring and lattice distortion engineering simultaneously over a BiVO 4 photocatalyst for efficient visible‐light‐driven oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Specifically, the lattice distortion engineering is achieved through the introduction of a sodium (Na + ) additive during the ion exchange process. Structural characterizations suggest the formation of ultrathin 2D monoclinic BiVO 4 nanoflakes with shrank VO and elongated BiO bonds. Mechanistic investigations reveal the advantages of ultrathin 2D features for exposing more (010) active facets and shortening the required migration distance for charge carriers to reach the catalytic surface. More importantly, the lattice distortion effect is found to crucially govern the charge carrier dynamics and catalytic surface behavior of BiVO 4 photocatalyst, endowing the optimized sample with an outstanding photocatalytic OER performance triggering up to 69.4% apparent quantum efficiency over Fe 3+ sacrificial solution. These findings highlight the functional application of morphology and dimensional modification, as well as lattice distortion engineering in synthesizing superior monoclinic BiVO 4 photocatalyst for efficient visible‐light‐driven water oxidation.