Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting using nanostructured films: p-CuO sensitized with polyhedral n-Cu₂O particles and CuS as photocathode

Autor(es)

Santos, Hugo Leandro Sousa ; Mascaro, Lucia Helena

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MATERIALS ADVANCES; v. 5, n. 16, p. 9-pg., 2024-07-18.

Resumo

The harnessing of solar energy to produce high-density energy carriers, such as hydrogen, through cost-effective technologies like photoelectrochemical cells (PECs), has emerged as a significant and promising effort. In this study, we employed p-CuO nanostructures, functionalized with polyhedral n-CuO and CuS particles, as a photocathode for water splitting. The fabrication process involved depositing copper onto FTO substrates via electrodeposition, followed by anodization to generate Cu(OH)(2) nanoneedles, which were subsequently transformed into CuO nanowires through annealing. Copper(i) oxide particles and CuS were deposited onto the CuO nanowires by electrodeposition and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR), respectively. The best CuO/Cu2O/CuS film demonstrated a remarkable photocurrent of -2.74 mA cm(-2) at 0 V-RHE. In summary, the formation of a type II p-n heterojunction between CuO and Cu2O facilitated improved charge separation, while the presence of CuS catalyzed the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), highlighting the promising potential of this system for solar-driven hydrogen production. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/26860-2 - Síntese e modificação de filmes nanoestruturados de CuO/Ga2O4 e Cu2O/Ga2O4 aplicados na produção de H2 pela redução fotoeletroquímica da água
• Beneficiário: Hugo Leandro Sousa dos Santos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 17/11986-5 - Geração e Armazenamento de Novas Energias: trazendo desenvolvimento tecnológico para o país
• Beneficiário: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Centros de Pesquisa em Engenharia
• Processo FAPESP: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Centro de Desenvolvimento de Materiais Funcionais
• Beneficiário: Elson Longo da Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs