Photochemical deposition of cobalt-based cocatalyst on BiVO4 for oxygen production from water splitting

BiVO4 powder prepared by hydrothermal method possesses smooth surface, regular decahedron shape and excellent crystallinity. The photochemical deposition of Co-based cocatalysts on BiVO4 powder and electrode as an efficient route to enhance the activity of oxygen evolution and the photocurrent. The photodeposition method ensures that the cocatalysts was placed where they can best use photogenerated holes for solar O2 production. The result demonstrated that loaded cocatalyst play an important role in the improvement of photocatalytic activity