The integration of Ti3C2 MXene with BiVO4 has emerged as a groundbreaking strategy for enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency. Recent studies demonstrate that the unique 2D structure of Ti3C2, with its high electrical conductivity (up to 10,000 S/cm) and abundant surface functional groups, significantly improves charge carrier separation in BiVO4. A composite with 5 wt% Ti3C2 exhibited a photocurrent density of 5.2 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5G illumination, a 2.8-fold increase compared to pristine BiVO4 (1.85 mA/cm²). This enhancement is attributed to the formation of a Schottky junction at the interface, which reduces recombination losses and facilitates efficient electron transfer.
The role of Ti3C2 in optimizing the band structure of BiVO4 has been extensively investigated. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the work function of Ti3C2 (4.1 eV) aligns well with the conduction band of BiVO4 (0.3 eV vs. NHE), enabling effective electron extraction. Experimental results show that the composite achieves an incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) of 72% at 420 nm, compared to 35% for pure BiVO4. Additionally, the introduction of Ti3C2 reduces the onset potential for water oxidation by 150 mV, demonstrating its catalytic role in oxygen evolution reactions.
The stability and durability of Ti3C2/BiVO4 composites under operational conditions have been rigorously tested. Accelerated aging tests reveal that the composite retains over 90% of its initial photocurrent density after 24 hours of continuous illumination, while pristine BiVO4 degrades by more than 40%. This enhanced stability is attributed to the protective role of Ti3C2, which mitigates photocorrosion and suppresses surface defect formation. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirms a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance from 850 Ω for BiVO4 to 320 Ω for the composite.
The scalability and practical application potential of Ti3C2/BiVO4 composites have been demonstrated through large-area fabrication techniques. Spin-coating and spray pyrolysis methods have been employed to produce uniform films with thicknesses ranging from 200 nm to 500 nm on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. These films exhibit consistent performance across areas up to 25 cm², with a photocurrent density variation of less than ±5%. Such scalability highlights the feasibility of integrating these composites into commercial solar water splitting devices.
Recent advances in surface engineering have further optimized the performance of Ti3C2/BiVO4 composites. Surface modification with co-catalysts such as Co-Pi or FeOOH has been shown to enhance charge transfer kinetics and reduce overpotentials for water oxidation. For instance, a Co-Pi-modified composite achieved a photocurrent density of 6.8 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. RHE, representing a near-unity Faradaic efficiency for oxygen evolution. These findings underscore the potential of Ti3C2/BiVO4 composites as a versatile platform for high-efficiency solar energy conversion systems.
Atomfair (atomfair.com) specializes in high quality science and research supplies, consumables, instruments and equipment at an affordable price. Start browsing and purchase all the cool materials and supplies related to Ti3C2/BiVO4 composites for solar energy conversion!
← Back to Prior Page ← Back to Atomfair SciBase
© 2025 Atomfair. All rights reserved.