Strong room temperature exciton photoluminescence in electrochemically deposited Cu2O films

Strong room temperature exciton photoluminescence (PL) has been observed in copper (I) oxide films electrochemically deposited in a tartrate electrolyte. The PL intensity of these films is two orders of magnitude higher than that of films deposited from the classical lactate electrolyte. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that the films prepared using tartrate electrolyte are characterized by higher grain size, which reduces a non-radiative recombination of charge carriers. Better optical quality of the Cu2O films prepared using tartrate electrolyte is explained taking into account stronger tartrate-copper complexes, which results in lower density of grain boundaries in such films. Moreover, higher buffering capacity of the tartrate complex provides stability of pH value in the diffusion layer of the near-electrode space preventing defect formation. Our study demonstrates the promise of using Cu2O films deposited from tartrate solution for solar energy applications like photoelectric energy conversion, hydrogen production, and photocatalysis.