Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Chemistry (not Biochemistry)
Dwight Bland - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Elsayed M. Zahran, Marc Knecht, and Leonidas G. Bachas, Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Hydrogen is a promising source of energy that is receiving much attention as an alternative for fossil fuels. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting emerged as a sustainable technology for hydrogen production. In this approach, the solar energy is utilized in presence of metal oxide semiconductors to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. In this presentation, we describe the synthesis and characterization of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) with dual heterojunction and demonstrate its enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic dyes. BiVO4 nanocrystals are doped with bismuth oxyhalides and palladium nanoparticles and studied as photoanode for the photoelectrochemical oxygen generation from water splitting. This will ultimately create p-n heterojunction material that improves the charges separation, which results in enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting. This novel composite has demonstrated high photocurrent in alkaline solution under visible light irradiation that indicates enhanced water splitting.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): The Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP); Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Faculty Advisor: Elsayed M. Zahran, elsayed.zahran@miami.edu
Role: Created BiVO4 (Bismuth Vanadate) and synthesize with Pd (Palladium) and filtered the agent and prepare it for dye degradation. Sonicated the agent in 15 mL of dionized water and add and stir 2 mL of dye. Used a solar simulator and record the amount -Used a solar simulator and record the amount