Open AccessSynthesis of Cu2O from modified Fehling reaction for the preparation of Cu2O thin film photocathode by using the spin coating method, characterization, and its photoelectrochemical properties
Author(s) -
Sulat,
Gunawan Gunawan,
Retno Ariadi Lusiana,
Abdul Haris,
Didik Setiyo Widodo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1943/1/012179
Subject(s) - photocathode , materials science , copper , oxide , thin film , spin coating , band gap , analytical chemistry (journal) , water splitting , semiconductor , copper oxide , photoelectrochemical cell , catalysis , nanotechnology , metallurgy , optoelectronics , chemistry , photocatalysis , electrode , physics , electrolyte , electron , quantum mechanics , biochemistry , chromatography
Hydrogen energy has the potency as a renewable energy source to replace the fossil energy. It can be obtained through the process of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting with the help of a semiconductor as a photocathode to capture photon energy. One of the copper-based metal oxide semiconductors that can be used in the water splitting process is copper(I) oxide (Cu 2 O), because it has non-toxic advantage, requires an easy synthesis process, low production cost, and has a low band gap (2-2.45 e V). This study aims to determine the effect of Fehling’s modification using citrate in Cu 2 O synthesis as material to prepare Cu 2 O thin film photocathode using spin-coating method. The prepared photocathode consists of three stages, namely variations of Cu 2 O synthesis with mole ratios of copper:citrate of 1:1; 1:2; 1:4, thin film preparation and heating. Then the obtained thin film was characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. J - V curves of the photocathodes gave current densities, onset potential and applied bias to photon efficiency (ABPE) for Cu 2 O thin film photocathode prepared by copper:citrate mole ratios of 1:1; 1:2; 1:4 namely 0.09; 0.18; 0.12 mA/cm 2 at potential of 0.2 V ( vs . RHE), 0.04; 0.08; 0.02 V ( vs . RHE), and 0.062, 0.057, 0.058 %, respectively. SEM analysis result showed a spherical morphology of Cu 2 O. EDX analysis showed that the sample contained copper and oxygen with 78% Cu and 22% O. XRD analysis results showed the presence of Cu 2 O with an average crystal grain size of 38.08 nm.