Fundamentals and environmental applications of bismuth vanadate through photoelectrocatalysis

Leonardo E. Navarrete-Cevallos; Ronald Vargas; Patricio J. Espinoza-Montero

doi:10.1038/s41545-025-00511-0

Fundamentals and environmental applications of bismuth vanadate through photoelectrocatalysis

Leonardo E. Navarrete-Cevallos
, Ronald Vargas
, Patricio J. Espinoza-Montero^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

This review outlines the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) using BiVO₄ as a promising photoelectrode for environmental applications. Key PEC factors—light absorption, semiconductor properties, potential, temperature, and pH—are discussed. BiVO₄’s optical, structural, and stability traits are compared with other vanadates. Synthesis methods (electrodeposition, SILAR, sputtering, and others) and performance-enhancing strategies (doping, heterojunctions, high-exposed facets) are examined. BiVO₄’s pollutant degradation pathway and dual-function PEC systems are explored, emphasizing the balance between properties for efficient energy conversion and environmental cleanup.

Original language	English
Article number	87
Journal	npj Clean Water
Volume	8
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00511-0
State	Published - Dec 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.

Funding

The authors thank Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador for funding through project Preparation of boron-doped diamond (BDD) photoelectrodes modified with bismuth semiconductors and their application in photoelectrocatalysis, code: QINV0402-IINV529020100.

Funders	Funder number
Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador	QINV0402-IINV529020100

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title = "Fundamentals and environmental applications of bismuth vanadate through photoelectrocatalysis",

abstract = "This review outlines the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) using BiVO4 as a promising photoelectrode for environmental applications. Key PEC factors—light absorption, semiconductor properties, potential, temperature, and pH—are discussed. BiVO4{\textquoteright}s optical, structural, and stability traits are compared with other vanadates. Synthesis methods (electrodeposition, SILAR, sputtering, and others) and performance-enhancing strategies (doping, heterojunctions, high-exposed facets) are examined. BiVO4{\textquoteright}s pollutant degradation pathway and dual-function PEC systems are explored, emphasizing the balance between properties for efficient energy conversion and environmental cleanup.",

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PY - 2025/12

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N2 - This review outlines the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) using BiVO4 as a promising photoelectrode for environmental applications. Key PEC factors—light absorption, semiconductor properties, potential, temperature, and pH—are discussed. BiVO4’s optical, structural, and stability traits are compared with other vanadates. Synthesis methods (electrodeposition, SILAR, sputtering, and others) and performance-enhancing strategies (doping, heterojunctions, high-exposed facets) are examined. BiVO4’s pollutant degradation pathway and dual-function PEC systems are explored, emphasizing the balance between properties for efficient energy conversion and environmental cleanup.

AB - This review outlines the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) using BiVO4 as a promising photoelectrode for environmental applications. Key PEC factors—light absorption, semiconductor properties, potential, temperature, and pH—are discussed. BiVO4’s optical, structural, and stability traits are compared with other vanadates. Synthesis methods (electrodeposition, SILAR, sputtering, and others) and performance-enhancing strategies (doping, heterojunctions, high-exposed facets) are examined. BiVO4’s pollutant degradation pathway and dual-function PEC systems are explored, emphasizing the balance between properties for efficient energy conversion and environmental cleanup.

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ER -

Fundamentals and environmental applications of bismuth vanadate through photoelectrocatalysis

Abstract

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