Advanced spectroscopy analyses of Cu2WO4 photoelectrodes applied for CO2 reduction reaction

• Grant number: 23/02684-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 07, 2023
• End date: May 06, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Claudia Longo
• Grantee: Jessica Costa Alvim
• Supervisor: James Durrant
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Imperial College London, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/05853-8 - Gas diffusion photoelectrodes with copper tungstates for application on photoassisted CO2 reduction reaction, BP.DD

Abstract

This project aims to investigate the structural and electronic properties of Cu2WO4 and the mechanism of (photo)corrosion of Cu2WO4 photocathode during CO2 reduction reaction by advanced spectroscopy techniques. Thus, the main proposal for the internship of Jéssica Costa Alvim, PhD student at UNICAMP under supervision of Prof. Claudia Longo, consists of the spectroscopy studies of photoelectrodes prepared with copper (I) tungstate (Cu2WO4) used for the photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The planned activities include: (i) Cu2WO4 photoelectrodes preparation (planar or gas diffusion electrodes) by methods such as spin coating and blade coating; (ii) spectroscopy analyses of Cu2WO4 surface during CO2 reduction reaction and under different bias application (iii) spectroscopy studies to investigate the (photo)corrosion mechanism of Cu2WO4 during photoelectrochemical reactions. These planned activities for this abroad internship at Imperial College London were elaborated considering the expertise of Prof. James Durrant in the field of photoelectrochemical reactions and advanced spectroscopy techniques for semiconductors characterization. The expected results obtained with spectroscopy analyses of Cu2WO4 surface will provide information about the electronic and structural properties of the semiconductor, the dynamic of photogenerated carriers and mechanisms of (photo)corrosion of Cu2WO4 during CO2 conversion that occurs in the electrode/electrolyte interface. (AU)