Enhancing photoelectrochemical performance of Bi2MoO6 photoanode by ferroelectric polarization regulation

Photoelectrochemical water splitting provides a promising strategy for converting solar energy into chemical fuels, having aroused extensive interest. Herein, the Bi2MoO6 nanopillars with large surface areas were fabricated on the ITO-coated glass substrate and their photoelectrochemical properties are enhanced through appropriate manipulation of the ferroelectric polarization. The Bi2MoO6¬photoanode with polarization orientation toward ITO shows an enhanced photocurrent density of 250 μA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, which is 28% higher than that of the pristine Bi¬2MoO6 nanopillars without macroscopic polarization. The corresponding depolarization electric field benefits the separation of light-excited electron-hole pairs, thus minimizing the recombination of charge carriers and further enhancing the photocurrent current density. Our work offers a new strategy of Bi2MoO6-based photoelectrochemical devices with great potential of application in the conversion of solar energy into chemical fuels.