Manipulating the Fate of Charge Carriers with Tungsten Concentration: Enhancing Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation of Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub>
Hoi Ying Chung, Cui Ying Toe, Weijian Chen, Xiaoming Wen, Roong Jien Wong, Rose Amal, Fatwa F. Abdi, Yun Hau Ng
Abstract
Abstract Bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6 ) thin film photoanode has exhibited an excellent photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance when the tungsten (W) concentration is increased during the fabrication. Plate‐like Bi 2 WO 6 thin film with distinct particle sizes and surface area of different exposed facets are successfully prepared via hydrothermal reaction. The smaller particle size in conjunction with higher exposure extent of electron‐dominated {010} crystal facet leads to a shorter electron transport pathway to the bulk surface, assuring a lower charge transfer resistance and thus minimal energy loss. In addition, it is proposed based on the results from conductive atomic force microscopy that higher W concentration plays a crucial role in facilitating the charge transport of the thin film. The “self‐doped” of W in Bi 2 WO 6 will lead to the higher carrier density and improved conductivity. Thus, the variation in the W concentration during a synthesis can be served as a promising strategy for future W based photoanode design to achieve high photoactivity in water splitting application.