A large size BiVO₄ photoanode with high stability for efficient water oxidation and wastewater treatment coupled with H₂ evolution

Simultaneously achieving photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation and degradation of organic pollutants coupled with H-2 generation for bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is highly desirable, while it is still hampered by low charge transport ability along with poor chemical durability. Herein, we have developed a NiFeOx co-catalyst decorated N-incorporated BiVO4 photoanode (N-BiVO4/NiFeOx), which not only can facilitate the charge transport efficiency but also efficiently suppresses the photo-corrosion. More specifically, the Fe sites trap photo-generated holes for promoting PEC processes and the Ni sites provide electrons to V sites for inhibiting V5+ dissolution of BiVO4. As a result, the large size N-BiVO4/NiFeOx photoanode with outstanding chemical stability exhibits efficient water oxidation and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation coupled with H-2 production performance. This work offers a promising avenue to design a high-performance photoanode and a new insight into antibiotic wastewater treatment.