The optimization of CuxO microwires synthesis for improvement in photoelectrochemical performance

Abstract

One of the most important challenges in the fabrication of CuxO microstructures via the electrochemical method is formation of long, regular and well-packed microwires with good adhesion on the Cu substrate and to achieve better photoelectrochemical properties, which can be potentially applied in solar-driven water splitting and CO2 conversion to light hydrocarbons. In this paper, Cu2O photoelectrode has been fabricated by direct anodization of the Cu foil, then CuO microwires (MWs) was formed by calcination process. The effect of the applied potential (10–40 V), sodium fluoride content in the electrolyte (0.2–0.5% wt.) as well as calcination conditions (400–500 °C, 60–360 min) on the morphology, phase composition, optical and photoelectrochemical properties was investigated. The highest photocurrent response was −0.71 mA cm−2 for the sample 0.35%_10V_400 °C_60min with 0.83 μm length and 154 nm diameter. The mechanism of the photocurrent generation process in the presence of CuxO/Cu under UV–Vis irradiation was proposed.