Synergistic Effects of WO3/(W)BiVO4 and C3N4 in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Developing efficient photoelectrocatalysts is crucial for advancing sustainable energy solutions to generate green hydrogen, particularly in photoelectrochemical water splitting. This study addresses these limitations by synthesizing and characterizing WO3/(W)BiVO4 heterojunctions incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (C3N4). Our approach combines a microwave-assisted synthesis for heterojunction formation with the direct polymerization of C3N4, aiming to enhance the charge separation and light absorption. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the presence of well-defined heterojunctions with homogeneous element distributions, while spectroscopic studies demonstrated enhanced visible light absorption. Our results show the potential of WO3/(W)BiVO4/C3N4 systems as durable and efficient photoanodes. The further optimization of polymerization conditions and band alignment strategies may unlock greater efficiency, paving the way for more effective solar-driven hydrogen production.