Recent advances in developing bridging materials between the interfaces of BiVO₄ photoanodes for water splitting applications: a comprehensive review
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Green hydrogen has established its position as a potential alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density, versatility in upgrading chemicals and decarbonizing industrial processes, and zero associated carbon dioxide emissions when used. An emerging method for producing green hydrogen is through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, where solar energy is used to drive the conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) has emerged as one of the most promising photoanode materials owing to its visible light active band gap, ease of fabrication, and chemical stability. However, the intrinsically fast recombination of charge carriers and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) hinder solar energy conversion efficiency for water splitting in this material. While significant progress has been made in developing multi-layered BiVO4-based photoelectrodes to elevate solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency (STC), charge transfer across each interface can be restricted when there is weak electrical and interfacial alignment between layers. To address this issue, researchers are developing ‘bridging materials’ that can rectify charge transport between the layers of such systems; improving interfacial charge transfer, regulate charge transfer directions, enhance catalyst stability, and ultimately increase PEC performance. This review presents recent progress in interface engineering for BiVO₄-based photoelectrochemical systems, emphasizing how bridge materials at key photoelectrode interfaces enhance performance. Intrinsic limitations of BiVO₄ are first outlined, along with strategies to overcome them through rational materials design. The functions of bridge materials in different electrode architectures are then described, including fabrication methods ranging from dry to wet chemical routes. Finally, current challenges and future directions for this emerging approach are discussed.
Date Issued
2026-11-01
Date Acceptance
2026-08-04
Citation
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2026, 1020
ISSN
1572-6657
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
Volume
1020
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
120474
Date Publish Online
2026-08-05