Optimization of semiconductor ns-TiO2-CuO admixed photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical solar cell in regard to hydrogen production

Abstract

This paper deals with the investigation on the optimization of ns TiO2–CuO admixed/Ti with respect to optimum photoelectrode area for semiconductor septum photo electrochemical solar cell. The motivation of the present work was to prepare an electrode having high effective surface area and hence better quantum yield and improved PEC activity. The photoelectrochemical response of ns TiO2-CuO photo electrodes for four different electrode area has been measured to explore the effect of electrode area on the output power in a chemical fuel (i.e. H2) produced by SC SEP PEC cell. This was done for determining the electrode area for optimum electrical output and hydrogen production. The photo electrochemical cell having ns TiO2-CuO admixed/Ti photoanode of several geometric areas like 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 cm2 were fabricated and characterized. It has been found that the photoanode area corresponding to optimum electrical output and hydrogen production rate corresponds to 1.5 cm2.