2020 Virtual undergraduate Research symposium
Solar Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production: Bismuth Vanadate Synthesis and Characterization
PROJECT NUMBER: 92
AUTHOR: Kameron Liao, Chemical and Biological Engineering | MENTOR: Thomas Furtak, Physics
ABSTRACT
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The purpose of this research is to reliably produce bismuth vanadate (BiVO4)—n-type semiconductor—films. These films would enable sustainable production of hydrogen fuel by allowing water electrolysis to occur under direct sunlight without requiring additional energy inputs. This study primarily focused on the synthesis and physical characterization of the films. The process began with the electrodeposition of bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide film. para-Benzoquinone was used to facilitate the electrodeposition process. The film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM confirmed the structure when compared to the literature. Meanwhile, the X-ray diffraction showed the correct key peaks at 2-theta equals 29.7, 31.7, and 45.4 degrees. After characterization, the BiOI film was annealed under a vanadium solution in a furnace to produce a BiVO4 film. The new film was characterized similarly. The SEM confirmed the nano-porous structure of BiVO4. The X-ray diffraction showed the key peaks at 2-theta equals 18.9, 28.4, and 30.5 degrees. Thus, these characterizations demonstrate the reliable production of BiVO4 films, showing promise to the future of sustainable hydrogen production.
VISUAL PRESENTATION
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
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Kameron Liao is a second-year chemical engineering student who plans on minoring energy and McBride. He has conducted research with the physics department to explore the field of water splitting for hydrogen fuel. This provided him an essential foundation and a glimpse into the renewable energy research sector, where he would like to continue future work. Particularly, he would like to continue to build on his knowledge of electrochemistry and utilize its potential to transform the energy industry. Through his work, he seeks to transition the world towards environmental sustainability.
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Thank you for letting me know. I will try figuring out what is wrong with it by end of today.
Great presentation! Thank you for adding voice to your slides. I was particularly impressed with how you described the method.
Thanks Emily! I’m glad you enjoyed the presentation!
Nice work! Now that the video plays, I have some questions:
1) This synthesis method is similar, if not exactly the same, as a method first developed by Kim & Choi and published in 2014 which you actually already have as a reference #2. I know this because I worked with this same system as an undergraduate. What is your group’s unique contribution to the field?
2) The film looks nonuniform in the pictures. Did you evaluate uniformity at all? Ideas to improve uniformity?
Thanks!
Hi Ivy,
Thanks for watching!
1) Yes, we followed the method developed in that research group—we actually followed the procedure described in ref [1]. Our group was trying to get Mines back into the field, as Dr. Furtak had been involved before falling off these past few years. Our main goal was to reliably be able to synthesize these films first, then identify ways we could improve upon the procedure. We were planning on evaluating ways to improve the photoelectrochemical performance (as seen in my research partner’s poster), but unfortunately didn’t have time to do it, as our research was stopped early due to the coronavirus. This would have likely included doping the films with some other compounds.
2) Yes, we did evaluate uniformity. The films in the presentation were actually the very first films we produced, and we made it our focus to improve the uniformity of them for our latter films. In our latter films, we were able to produce very uniform films of BiOI. This happened by improving our solution preparation process and making sure there we no disturbances during the electrodepositon. However, during annealing, we discovered that most films would anneal unevenly. We think that it may largely be an issue with the furnace, failing to maintain the necessary temperatures. There may have also been the issue of keeping the films completely flat while annealing—the furnace had a cylindrical tube that held the films. Unfortunately, we hadn’t taken any pictures of this yet before our research was stopped (thus, why they weren’t in the presentation).
In terms of further improving uniformity, we did read an article that annealed the BiOI films through a microwave which caught our eye. Of course, again, we didn’t have the time to investigate it in our lab though. (Journal title: “Simultaneous Enhancement in Light Absorption and Charge Transportation of Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO4) Photoanode via Microwave Annealing” by Safaei et al.)