Photoelectrochemical activity of copper vanadate nanostructures

[Display omitted] •Bi dopant effect on Cu3(VO4)2 showed higher current density 1.29 mA/cm2.•Long time stability of photoelectrode for 6 h of illumination was reported.•Phase changing mechanism of Bi in copper vanadate were proposed. Producing clean energy by using low cost and efficient photoelectrodes via hydrothermal method was achieved. Bare CuV2O6 monoclinic structure and structure/phase changing mechanism of Bi dopant in CuV2O6 and conversion mechanism of Cu3(VO4)2 anorthic phase from CuV2O6 monoclinic was revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Band gap variations of two different phases and dopant, morphological effect on band structure of product were examined. Photoelectrochemical performance of fabricated electrodes was analyzed by linear sweep voltammogram (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), and chronoamperometry (CA) studies under illumination. Synergistic effect of nanoflower morphology and Bi dopant effect on Cu3(VO4)2 phase showed higher current density of 1.29 mA/cm2 in LSV with high electronic conductivity. Long time stability of same photoelectrode for 6 h of illumination was reported. Phase and morphological changing mechanism of Bi dopant in copper vanadate were proposed and proficient electrode was suggested for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.