Preparation and photoelectrochemical properties of WO3/BiVO4 composite films

WO3 nanosheet films were prepared on the conductive glass substrate. WO3/BiVO4 composite film samples with different thicknesses were successfully synthesized on WO3 nanosheet films by changing the number of spin coating of BiVO4. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize samples. WO3/BiVO4 composite film samples were tested for absorption spectrum, photocurrent, photoelectrocatalysis and alternating current impedance. The results show that the photocurrent density and photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the WO3/BiVO4 composite film sample are improved compared with pure WO3 nanosheet films, and it has better photoelectrochemical property. Meanwhile, WO3/BiVO4 composite film sample with twice spin coating of BiVO4 has the highest photocurrent density (1.79 mA/cm2) and photoelectric degradation efficiency (about 60.5%), which is increased by 27.4% than the photocurrent density of pure WO3films (1.30 mA/cm2), the photoelectric degradation efficiency is also 26.3% higher than pure WO3 films (approximately 47.9%), and has the most excellent photoelectrochemical property.