Unveiling Robust Dihydroxyacetone Production Using Post N2-annealed
BiVO4 Photoanode
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical conversion of glycerol into high-value
dihydroxyacetone offers a sustainable approach via BiVO4, which
manifests highly photoactive properties, but poor charge transport
ability. Herein, we fabricated N2-annealed BiVO¬4 through a simple
spin-coating method and N2 annealing process. The effect of N2 treatment
did not significantly impact the surficial catalytic efficiency, while
the bulk efficiency was increased, resulting from changes in oxygen
vacancy concentration and carrier density. Owing to simultaneous
improvement in bulk electron-hole separation efficiency, N2-annealed
BiVO4 at 150 ℃ exhibited an enhanced photoelectrochemical
dihydroxyacetone production rate of 160 mmol m-2 h-1 at 1.0 V vs. RHE,
which was about more than 2 times higher than pristine BiVO4. This work
not only makes biodiesel production more profitable and sustainable but
also achieves advanced production of dihydroxyacetone.