Abstract
Nowadays, Cu_2O is very promising electrode material for photoelectrochemical applications. In this paper, we report on the controllable synthesis of Cu_2O single particles as well as compact layers on Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes using potentiostatic deposition in continuous and pulse mode. The BDD layers were prepared with different B/C ratios in the gas phase in order to investigate boron doping level influence on the Cu_2O properties. The effect of electrodeposition conditions such as deposition regime and pulse duration was investigated as well. The Cu_2O covered BDD electrodes were analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Improvement in the homogeneity of the electrodeposit and removal of clusters were achieved when the pulse potentiostatic regime was used. Using the same pulse electrodeposition parameters, we confirmed the possibility of controlling the deposition rate of Cu_2O by varying the BDD conductivity. Finally, we were able to scale the size of Cu_2O particles by changing the number of deposition pulses. The obtained results have shown a great potential of controlling the morphology, amount, size and distribution of Cu_2O films on BDD substrates by changing the boron doping level and electrodeposition conditions as well. The investigations reported herein allowed us to better understand the deposition mechanism of Cu_2O on BDD electrodes which could then be used for preparation of active layers for electrochemical applications and in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and photodetectors.
Highlights
Diamond possesses many exceptional properties such as the highest hardness and thermal conductivity, excellent wear resistance, chemical inertness and the lowest friction coefficient
We report on the controllable synthesis of Cu2O single particles as well as compact layers on Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes using potentiostatic deposition in continuous and pulse mode
The Cu2O covered BDD electrodes were analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy
Summary
Diamond possesses many exceptional properties such as the highest hardness and thermal conductivity, excellent wear resistance, chemical inertness and the lowest friction coefficient. Diamond films grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) found wide range of applications in electronics, optics, electrochemistry and other fields [1], [2], [3] and [4]. Electrodeposition of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) microcrystals may be used to control surface properties for biosensing or biocatalytic applications. In contrast to other synthesis processes electrosynthesis is a relatively simple and versatile technique that is performed at atmospheric pressure and does not require high temperatures. It allows a good control of the products by controlling parameters such as potential, current densities, pH or precursor concentration in the electrolyte. Prepared series of BDD layers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. Each presented spectrum is an average of twenty continuously acquired spectra with a collection time of 3 seconds each
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