Bismuth oxyhalides: synthesis, structure and photoelectrochemical activity.

ABSTRACT: We report the synthesis and photoelectrochemical assessment of phase pure tetragonal matlockite structured BiOX (where X = Cl, Br, I) films. The materials were deposited using aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition. The measured optical bandgaps of the oxyhalides, supported by density functional theory calculations, showed a red shift with the increasing size of halide following the binding energy of the anion p-orbitals that form the valence band. Stability and photoelectrochemical studies carried out without a sacrificial electron donor showed the n-type BiOBr film to have the highest photocurrent reported for BiOBr in the literature to date (0.3 mA cm^-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE), indicating it is an excellent candidate for solar fuel production with a very low onset pote

SUBMITTER: Bhachu DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6016733 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature