Understanding the photoelectrochemical properties of nanostructured CeO2/Cu2O heterojunction photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Nanostructured thin films of CeO2 sensitized by overlayering thin layers of Cu2O with varying thickness have been studied for the first time as photoelectrode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Effective mass calculations for electrons and holes in bulk CeO2 and Cu2O using first principl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2016-11, Vol.41 (41), p.18339-18350
Main Authors: Sharma, Dipika, Satsangi, Vibha R., Shrivastav, Rohit, Waghmare, Umesh V., Dass, Sahab
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CeO2/Cu2O heterojunction
Photoelectrochemical activity
Spin coating
Spray-pyrolysis
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Summary:Nanostructured thin films of CeO2 sensitized by overlayering thin layers of Cu2O with varying thickness have been studied for the first time as photoelectrode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Effective mass calculations for electrons and holes in bulk CeO2 and Cu2O using first principles based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) have also been attempted to explain the enhanced charge separation at CeO2/Cu2O heterojunction interface. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and UV–Visible spectrophotometer. The photoelectrochemical activity of the samples was investigated in a three electrode quartz cell system and maximum photocurrent density of 2.89 mA cm−2 at 0.7 V/SCE was obtained for the CeO2/Cu2O heterojunction with overall thickness of 397 nm. Improved conductivity and better separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the CeO2/Cu2O heterojunction as compared to individual components may be responsible for the higher photocurrent density. The possible mechanism for the enhanced photocurrent density has been explained using heterojunction model based on density functional theory calculations. •Heterojunction thin films were prepared by using two different deposition techniques.•Variation of Cu2O film thickness played a significant role in PEC response.•Improved charge separation & enhanced PEC response was achieved in heterojunction.•Heterojunction with overall film thickness (397 nm) exhibited the best PEC response.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.079