Photodegradation of CdTe thin film via PVD for water splitting to generate hydrogen energy

• Published in: Results in Chemistry 2023-12, Vol.6, p.101102, Article 101102
• Main Authors: Junaid, Muhammad, Batoo, Khalid Mujasam, Hussain, Sonam Ghulam, Khan, Waheed Qamar, Hussain, Sajjad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 reduction; Green hydrogen; Photo (electro) catalysis; Photocatalysis; Semiconductors; Solar water splitting
• ISSN: 2211-7156; 2211-7156
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2023.101102

[Display omitted] •CdTe thin films were prepared by the physical vapor deposition method.•EIS study of CdTe heterostructure showed low impedance which gives a better photocurrent response compared to its constituents.•The Solar light to hydrogen conversion (STH%) efficiency was found to be 1.07%.•CdTe heterostructure thin films have a photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of 4953.21 mol.g−1.h−1 was measured. The cost-effective catalysts are attracting attention in the field of water-splitting hydrogen generation for their effective light utilization and charge separation activity. In this work, CdTe has introduced this promising photocathodic material among the few photocatalysts with a low band gap. This photocatalyst has a high activity for the PEC hydrogen evolution under simulated sunlight irradiation. XRD study reveals the confirmation of the prepared CdTe thin film. SEM study provided the morphology and surface structure for the absorption of the solar spectra, the optical properties of CdTe thin film confirmed the absorption of solar spectra for the hydrogen production. FTIR provided the functional group of the CdTe thin film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the charge transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface for CdTe thin film is much better than another semiconductor. The LSV for STH% was noted to be 1.07% for CdTe thin film and the production of hydrogen generation of CdTe thin film was observed at 4953.21 mol.g−1.h−1.