BiOI-based photoactivated fuel cell using refractory organic compounds as substrates to generate electricity

• Published in: Catalysis today Vol. 224; pp. 13 - 20
• Main Authors: Shu, Dong, Wu, Jinqing, Gong, Yibing, Li, Shuzhen, Hu, Lingling, Yang, Yichang, He, Chun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2014
• Subjects: BiOI-based composite; Organic pollutants; Photo fuel cell; Photoconversion; Visible-light; BiOI-based composite; Organic pollutants; Visible-light; Photoconversion; Photo fuel cell
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2013.12.017

•A visible-light-driven photo fuel cell was used to generate electricity using BiOI-based electrodes.•The performance of electricity generation using three BiOI-based electrodes was compared in PFC device.•The efficiency of electricity generation using CNT-BiOI/ITO photoanode was significantly enhanced in PFC device.•The enhancement in efficiency of electricity generation using CNT-BiOI/ITO is attributed to the electrons transport of CNT. A visible-light-driven photo fuel cell (PFC) device, consisting of a BiOI-based photoanode (Ag–BiOI/ITO, CNT-BiOI/ITO, and TiO2–BiOI/ITO) and a Pt photocathode, was used to generate electricity by using organic compounds. The prepared BiOI and BiOI-based photoanodes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to examine the surface structure and the properties of light absorption. The photoactivity of BiOI-based photoanode was evaluated in the term of the electricity generation and degradation efficiency for bisphenol A (BPA) organic pollutants. The efficiencies of electricity generation using Ag–BiOI/ITO, CNT-BiOI/ITO, and TiO2–BiOI/ITO photoanodes were higher in PFC device under visible light compared with BiOI/ITO photoanode. In the mean time, the photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for BPA using Ag–BiOI/ITO, CNT-BiOI/ITO, and TiO2–BiOI/ITO photoanodes were significantly higher than that of BiOI/ITO. The enhancement in the electricity generation and degradation efficiency for BPA is attributed to the action of additives (Ag, CNT, and TiO2) on BiOI, which play a key role by driving the electrons to the cathode.