Abstract:
P-type Cu2O nano-surfaces were obtained by heating well cleaned,
commercially available copper plates (98.9% purity and 2cm x 4cm in size).
Initially, a heating rate of 100oC min-1 was provided with copper sheets
inside the furnace, starting from the room temperature, until the temperature
reached 500oC, and then the temperature was kept constant for 30 minutes
and allowed to cool back to room temperature. Three-electrode configuration
was used to measure the generated photocurrent. I-V characteristics of the
sample were investigated by using the sample as a photocathode in a Photo
Electro Chemical (PEC) solar cell. From the investigation of I-V
characteristics and optical absorption properties, a remarkable stability of the
sample was observed. This observation was supported by the experimental
data of XRD, FTIR and AFM surface analysis.
