The aim is to explore photocorrosion as a mechanism for activating biVO4 photoanodes.
Utilized sulfite anions to trigger transformation in biVO4.
Investigated the effects on self-etching and photoactivity.
Analyzed the resulting structural changes and performance enhancements.
Sulfite treatment successfully activated biVO4, enhancing its photoactivity.
The process redefined photocorrosion as a programmable mechanism rather than merely a failure mode.
The transformation yielded a black bi-O phase with improved characteristics.
Abstract
Photocorrosion has long been viewed as the primary failure mode limiting BiVO4 photoanodes. Herein, we redefine it as a programmable pathway for activation. We demonstrate that sulfite anions, beyond acting...