Floc-like CNTs jointed with Bi_xFe_1−xVO₄ nanoparticles for high efficient and stable photoelectrochemical seawater splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) seawater splitting is an important strategy of green industrial hydrogen production on the basis of protecting fresh water resources. In this work, a floc-like Bi_xFe_1−xVO₄ @CNT hetero-nanostructure (HNS) was fabricated as the building blocks of PEC anode and demonstrated a highly enhanced PEC efficiency and stability in seawater. In Bi_xFe_1−xVO₄ @CNT HNS, amorphous Fe mixed Bi_xFe_1−xVO₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were served for visible-light absorption, photoelectric conversion, and especially conjunct nodes of carbon nanotubes (CNTs); while CNTs were employed as the high-speed channels for carrier transfer, suppressing electron-hole recombination and leading to a highly improved PEC efficiency. As a result, the as-fabricated floc-like photoanode achieves an applicable PEC photocurrent density of 0.1 mA/cm² at 1.5 V versus Ag/AgCl in seawater, which demonstrates the promising potential of the floc-like Bi_xFe_1−xVO₄ @CNT HNS in future photoconversion applications.