Recent surficial modification strategies on BiVO4 based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting enhancement

BiVO4 based photoanodes have been regarded as one of the potential semiconductors for solar to hydrogen energy by photoelectrochemical water splitting. However, the activity and stability of the original BiVO4 semiconductor is unfavorable for the real application. The surface states of BiVO4 based photoanodes is the key factor in determining the activity and stability of BiVO4 during the photoelectrochemical process. Herein, the PEC water splitting system, basic requirements for the semiconductor, and the advantage/disadvantage of BiVO4 based photoanodes during the PEC water splitting is generally introduced. Importantly, the latest developments in various strategies for the surface state modification of BiVO4 photoanodes by element doping, heterojunction construction, heterojunction construction, oxygen evolution electrocatalyst modification and the effect of electrolyte is reviewed and highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges and future prospects on BiVO4 based photoanodes are presented for a high-performance and stable BiVO4 based photoanode. This work provides the potential understanding of the surficial modification of BiVO4, which is favorable for the future designation, synthesis and application for the BiVO4 photoanode.