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Solvothermal synthesis of BiVO4/WO3 heterostructures and their applicability towards electrochemical water oxidation reactions

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Abstract.

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) and its heterostructures with tungstate (WO3) were prepared by solvothermal technique. Phase purity of these compounds was analysed by collecting powder. X-ray diffraction data revealed the co-existence of both BiVO4 and WO3 phases. Transmission electron microscopic measurements on these samples revealed that the average particles sizes of these heterostructures are in the submicron range. Optical band gap is found in the range of 2.30 to 2.45 eV by using UV-visible spectrometer. Optical spectra reveal two distinct absorption edges corresponding to both existing phases. Electrochemical activity of BiVO4 and BiVO4/WO3 heterostructures was studied using electrochemical workstation for applicability of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These results indicate that the electrochemical activity was improved by forming heterostructures as compared with pristine compounds. From the Tafel slope analysis, it was found that the second electron transfer step is the rate determining step in OER mechanism in BiVO4/WO3 heterostructures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Functional Materials Research Centre, Department of Physics, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, 522502, Andhra Pradesh, India

    P. Saraswathi, S. D. Ramarao, R. A. Kumar & A. V. Rao

  2. Department of Physics, GVP College of Engineering (A), Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, 530048, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Ch. Rajesh

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  1. P. Saraswathi
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  2. S. D. Ramarao
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  3. R. A. Kumar
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  4. Ch. Rajesh
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  5. A. V. Rao
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Correspondence to S. D. Ramarao.

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Saraswathi, P., Ramarao, S.D., Kumar, R.A. et al. Solvothermal synthesis of BiVO4/WO3 heterostructures and their applicability towards electrochemical water oxidation reactions. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 134, 186 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2019-12629-7

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