• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.604-610
• /
• 2016

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a novel $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction structure with CuO nanorods embedded in $Cu_2O$ thin film as an efficient photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting. A CuO nanorod array was first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method; then, a $Cu_2O$ thin film was electrodeposited onto the CuO nanorod array to form an oxide semiconductor heterostructure. The crystalline phases and morphologies of the heterojunction materials were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction photocathode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was found to exhibit negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g. $-1.05mA/cm^2$ at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ in $1mM\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte, revealing the effective operation of the oxide heterostructure. The photocurrent conversion efficiency of the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was estimated to be 1.27% at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$. Moreover, the PEC current density versus time (J-T) profile measured at -0.5 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ on the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode indicated a 3-fold increase in the photocurrent density compared to that of a simple $Cu_2O$ thin film photocathode. The improved PEC performance was attributed to a certain synergistic effect of the bilayer heterostructure on the light absorption and electron-hole recombination processes.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2022

Preparing various types of thin films of oxide semiconductors is a promising approach to fabricate efficient photoanodes and photocathodes for hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of an efficient photocathode for PEC water reduction of a p-type oxide semiconductor cupric oxide (CuO) thin film prepared via a facile method combined with sputtering Cu metallic film on fluorine-doped thin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate and subsequent thermal oxidation of the sputtered Cu metallic film in dry air. Characterization of the structural, optical, and PEC properties of the CuO thin film prepared at various Cu sputtering powers reveals that we can obtain an optimum CuO thin film as an efficient PEC photocathode at a Cu sputtering power of 60 W. The photocurrent density and the optimal photocurrent conversion efficiency for the optimum CuO thin film photocathode are found to be -0.3 mA/cm² and 0.09% at 0.35 V vs. RHE, respectively. These results provide a promising route to fabricating earth-abundant copper-oxide-based photoelectrode for sunlight-driven hydrogen generation using a facile method.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.232-240
• /
• 2020

Cu₂O films as a photocathode for photoelectrochemical water splitting were potentiostatically deposited on FTO glasses. The morphology and composition of the electrodeposited Cu₂O films were adjusted by the applied potentials. The potential-dependent grain size of Cu₂O films was characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. Photoelectrochemical properties of the fabricated Cu₂O photocathodes were investigated with photocurrents as a function of potentials under 1 sun condition of 100mW/㎠. Photocurrents of the electrodeposited Cu₂O films were controlled with the tailored surface morphologies of Cu₂O photocathodes.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.11
• /
• pp.3261-3266
• /
• 2014

A pellet of polycrystalline $CuGaO_2$ with a delafossite structure was prepared from $Ga_2O_3$ and CuO by high-temperature solid-state synthesis. The $CuGaO_2$ pellet was a p-type semiconductor for which the electrical conductivity, carrier density, carrier mobility and Seebeck coefficient were $5.34{\times}10^{-2}{\Omega}^{-1}cm^{-1}$, $3.5{\times}10^{20}cm^{-3}$, $9.5{\times}10^{-4}cm^2V^{-1}s^{-1}$ at room temperature, and $+360{\mu}V/K$, respectively. It also exhibited two optical transitions at about 2.7 and 3.6 eV. The photoelectrochemical properties of the $CuGaO_2$ pellet electrode were investigated in aqueous electrolyte solutions. The flat-band potential of this electrode, determined using a Mott-Schottky plot, was +0.18 V vs SCE at pH 4.8 and followed the Nernst equation with respect to pH. Under UV light illumination, a cathodic photocurrent developed, and molecular hydrogen simultaneously evolved on the surface of the electrode due to the direct reduction of water without deposition of any metal catalyst.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2016.02a
• /
• pp.402.2-402.2
• /
• 2016

In photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) compound has attracted intense attention as a photocathode due to not only large optical absorption coefficient, but also earth-abundance of constituent elements and suitable band alignment. With rapid development of nanotechnology, one-dimensional nanostructures of CZTS have been investigated as a potential form to achieve high efficiency because the nanostructures are expected to be capable of capturing more light and enhancing charge separation and transport. Here, we report a well-controlled fabrication route for vertically-aligned CZTS nanorod arrays on anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template via simple sol-gel process followed by deposition of ZnS or CdS buffer layers on the CZTS nanorod to enhance charge separation. The structure, morphology, composition, optical absorption, and PEC properties of the resulting CZTS nanorod samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 1998.02a
• /
• pp.24-24
• /
• 1998

반도체장비를 포함하는 초고진공장비의 園훌化가 급속히 그리고 절실히 요구되고 있는 것이 현실정이다. 當面해서 실현할 국산진공장비의 대상은 廣範圍하다. 즉, 각종 진공 pump ( (rotary, dry, diffusion, cryo, ion, turbo melecular pump), 진공 chamber, 진공 line, gate valve 를 위 시 한 진공 V머ve, flange, gasket, fl않d야lU, mainpulater 퉁 진공 部品이 다. 진공계 의 핵심 은 適切하고 優良한 진공재료의 선태파 사용이다. 진공장비는 사용자가 원하는 진공도를 원하 는 시간 동안 륨空度를 유지해 주어야 한다. 진공재료 선태의 기준사항은:(1) 기체의 透過성 (2) 薰했훌 (3) 혔體放出특성 - -outgassing과 degassing- (4) 機械的 량훌度 (5) 온도 의존성 (6) 化學톡성 (7) 加I성 및 鎔接 성 (8) 課電특성 (9) 磁氣특성 (10) 高速함子 및 放射線 특성 (11) 經濟성 및 調達생 둥이 다. 우량한 초고진공계재료는 풍부하게 개발되어 왔고, 또 新材料들이 개발되고 있다. 여기에서는 주로 초고진공 내지는 극고진공계의 構造材料, 機能材料, 部品材料 일반파 몇가지 신재료의 특 성에 관해서 記述한다. M Mild SteeHSAE, 1112, 1010, 1020, 1022, etc)., S Stainless SteeHAlSI, 304, 304L, 310, 316, 321, 347): 구조재료, chamber, fl하1ges A Aluminum과 Alloys (1060, 1100, 2014, 4032, 6(뻐1): 구조재료, chamber, flanges, gaskets A AI, Al 떠loy는 SS에 代替하는 역 할올 시 작하고 있다. C Copper, Copper Alloys(C11$\alpha$)0, C26800, C61400, Cl7200): 내장인자, gasket, cryopanel, tubing T Titanium, Ziriconium, Haf띠um 및 Alloys: 특히 Ti은 10n pump 용 getter material 이 외 에 U UHV,XHV용 chamber계로서 관심올 끌고 있다. N Nickel, Nickel Alloys (200, 204, 211, monel, nichrome): 부식 방지 , 전자장치 , 자기 장치 귀 금속(Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Os, Ru): 보조부품, gasket, filament, coating, thermocouple, 접 합부위 T TiC, SiC, zrC, HfC, TaC 둥의 탄화물과, BN, TiN, AlN 동의 질화물, 붕화물이 둥장하고 었 다. 유리: Soda Lime, Borosilicate, Potash Soda Lead: View Port, Chamber envelope C Ceramics: AlZ03, BeO, MgO, zrOz, SiOz, MgOzSiOz, 3Alz032SiOz, Z$textsc{k}$hSiOz S상N4: e electrical, thermal insulators, crucibles, boats, single crystals, sepctr려 windows 저자는 최근 저자들이 발견한 Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be amorphous alloys coated cham뾰r가 radiation p proof로 이용될 수 있는 사실을 점검하고 었다 .. Z.Y. Hua 들은 Cs3Sb를 새로운 photocathode 재료로 보고하고 있다.