Bismuth Vanadate with Electrostatically Anchored 3D Carbon Nitride Nano‐networks as Efficient Photoanodes for Water Oxidation.

Abstract: In this study, we report a photoanode consisting of a polymeric/inorganic nanojunction between novel nanostructured 3D C₃N₄ nano‐networks and BiVO₄ substrate. This nanojunction is formed such that 3D C₃N₄ nano‐networks with a positively charged surface are efficiently anchored on the BiVO₄ photoanode with a negatively charged surface. This electrostatic self‐assembly can initiate and contribute to an intimate contact at the interfaces, leading to an enhanced photoelectrochemical activity and stability compared with that fabricated by non‐electrostatic assembly. The C₃N₄ nano‐network/BiVO₄ photoanode achieved a remarkable photocurrent density of 4.87 mA cm⁻² for water oxidation at 1.23 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) after depositing FeOOH/NiOOH as oxygen‐evolution co‐catalyst, which is among the highest photocurrent densities reported so far for BiVO₄‐based photoanodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]