Electrodeposited cu thin layers as low cost and effective underlayers for Cu2O photocathodes in photoelectrochemical water electrolysis

摘要: Cu2O is one of the most studied semiconductors for photocathodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS). Its low stability counterbalanced by good activity, provided that a suitable underlayer/support used. While mostly on Au underlayers, this paper proposes Cu(0) as low-cost, easy to prepare and highly efficient alternative. Cu can be electrodeposited from same bath, thus allowing principle tune final material’s physico-chemical properties with high precision scalable method. Electrodes photoelectrodes are means electrochemical methods (cyclic voltammetry, Pb underpotential deposition) ex-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). potential applied deposition has no influence bulk structure photocurrent displayed semiconductor, it plays role dark currents, making strategy promising improving stability. Au/Cu2O Cu/Cu2O show similar performances, latter having clear advantages view future use practical applications. The underlayer thickness was also evaluated terms obtained photocurrent.