Selective Synthesis of Bismuth or Bismuth Selenide Nanosheets from a Metal Organic Precursor: Investigation of their Catalytic Performance for Water Splitting.

ABSTRACT: The development of cost-effective, functional materials that can be efficiently used for sustainable energy generation is highly desirable. Herein, a new molecular precursor of bismuth (tris(selenobenzoato)bismuth(III), [Bi(SeOCPh)₃]), has been used to prepare selectively Bi or Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets via a colloidal route by the judicious control of the reaction parameters. The Bi formation mechanism was investigated, and it was observed that the trioctylphosphine (TOP) plays a crucial role in the formation of Bi. Employing the vapor deposition method resulted in the formation of exclusively Bi₂Se₃ films at different temperatures. The synthesized nanomaterials and films were characterized by p-XRD, TEM, Raman, SEM, EDX, AFM, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy. A minimum sheet thickness of 3.6 nm (i.e., a thickness of 8-9 layers) was observed for bismuth, whereas a thickness of 4 nm (i.e., a thickness of 4 layers) was observed for Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets. XPS showed surface oxidation of both materials and indicated an uncapped surface of Bi, whereas Bi₂Se₃ had a capping layer of oleylamine, resulting in reduced surface oxidation. The potential of Bi and Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets was tested for overall water-splitting application. The OER and HER catalytic performances of Bi₂Se₃ indicate overpotentials of 385 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 and 220 mV, with Tafel slopes of 122 and 178 mV dec^-1, respectively. In comparison, Bi showed a much lower OER activity (506 mV at 10 mA cm^-2) but a slightly better HER (214 mV at 10 mA cm^-2) performance. Similarly, Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets were observed to exhibit cathodic photocurrent in photoelectrocatalytic activity, which indicated their p-type behavior.

SUBMITTER: Razzaque S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8716079 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature