Electrochemical Fabrication of Cu2O Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

In this study, we can fabricate Cu2O on F-doped SnO2coated glass (FTO) substrates as photocathode for hydrogen evolution reaction by electro-deposition techniques. Cyclic voltammetry as a new deposition method was studied to fabricate Cu2O photocathode in a mixed solution of Cu (NO3)2and KNO3under a condition of low temperature and without pH value adjustment. Amperometry as a previous method was used to compare for Cu2O electrode fabrication under the situation of pH adjustment and higher temperature condition. A photocurrent from hydrogen evolution reaction was performed by keep potential at-0.2 V in 0.1 M Na2SO4under visible irradiation comparing with both fabricated method. The Cu2O photocathode from cyclic voltammetry deposition method presents photoelectrocatalytic activity higher than that of amperometry deposition method with the optimum conditions. This electro-deposition technique represents the excellent method with simple, fast and low cost of Cu2O photocathode fabrication for photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction.