Improvement of TiO2 Performance with 10% Cu–TiO2/BiVO4 Heterojunction Composite Using Sonication in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Bunga Nurkhalifah; Vera Pangni Fahriani; Sarah Dampang; Muhammad Fahmi Hakim; Siti Nurhayati

doi:10.23960/jemit.358

Authors

Bunga Nurkhalifah Chemical Engineering Study Program, Singaperbangsa University Karawang, Indonesia, 41361
Vera Pangni Fahriani Chemical Engineering Study Program, Singaperbangsa University Karawang, Indonesia, 41361
Sarah Dampang Chemical Engineering Study Program, Singaperbangsa University Karawang, Indonesia, 41361
Muhammad Fahmi Chemical Engineering Study Program, Singaperbangsa University Karawang, Indonesia, 41361
Nurhayati Chemical Engineering Study Program, Singaperbangsa University Karawang, Indonesia, 41361

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23960/jemit.358

Keywords:

Heterojunction, Photoelectrochemistry, Water splitting

Abstract

The global energy crisis, driven by the depletion of fossil fuels, has accelerated the search for renewable energy solutions, including hydrogen production via solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems. A major limitation of PEC is the UV-only activity of semiconductors such as TiO₂. This study investigates the performance enhancement of TiO₂ through the formation of a Cu-TiO₂/BiVO₄ heterojunction composite with 10% Cu doping and sonication treatment. Cu doping reduces the band gap and extends light absorption into the visible region, while BiVO₄ promotes effective charge separation. SEM-EDS analysis revealed a more uniform particle distribution in the sonicated sample, and UV-Vis DRS confirmed a substantial band gap narrowing from 2.97 eV to 2.02 eV. PEC testing in a 0.5 M NaCl solution showed that the sonicated composite achieved the highest and most stable photovoltage (0.78 V) along with visible hydrogen bubble formation, indicating efficient light-to-hydrogen conversion. These findings demonstrate that sonication plays a crucial role in improving particle dispersion, suppressing agglomeration, and reinforcing the TiO₂/BiVO₄ heterojunction, highlighting its potential as a self-biased photoanode for sustainable hydrogen production.

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