Fabrication of n-Cu sub(2)O electrodes with higher energy conversion efficiency in a photoelectrochemical cell

We observed an n-type photoresponse in cuprous oxide films, which were prepared by a simple method of immersing copper plates in a HCl solution of 3 pH at 40 degree C temperature, when they were used in a PEC cell. This photoresponse was much higher than the previously published values for n-Cu sub(...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 1998-12, Vol.56 (1), p.29-33
Main Authors: Jayewardena, C, Hewaparakrama, K P, Wijewardena, DLA, Guruge, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Copper oxides
Energy conversion
Hydrochloric acid
Photocurrents
Photoelectrochemical cells
Quantum efficiency
Semiconducting films
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Summary:We observed an n-type photoresponse in cuprous oxide films, which were prepared by a simple method of immersing copper plates in a HCl solution of 3 pH at 40 degree C temperature, when they were used in a PEC cell. This photoresponse was much higher than the previously published values for n-Cu sub(2)O electrodes which were prepared by other methods. The photocurrent obtained was in the order of 0.3 mA /cm super(2) when the cell was illuminated with light intensity of 50 mW /cm super(2). (The semiconductor electrode was biased to get a zero dark current.) The power conversion efficiency of the cell was 0.01%. The maximum quantum efficiency obtained was 15%. It is hoped that these values could be improved with a better understanding of the photoelectrochemical properties of the cell.
ISSN:0927-0248