INVESTIGATION OF H2 EVOLUTION AND PHOTO-EFFECTS OF Cu20 FILMS PREPARED BY SIMPLE CHEMICAL METHODS

Abstract

Hydrogen gas evolution was observed for the first time from a photoelectrochemical cell using a n-type Cu20 photoelectrode under visible light irradiation. Three-electrode configuration was used in the photoelectrochemical cell to observe H2 evolution. AgCl/Ag calomel electrode and a platinum plate were used as the reference and counter electrodes, respectively. Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple was used as the electrolyte. H2 evolution was visible on the platinum electrode in the photoelectrochemical cell. p-Cu20 films were prepared on copper plates by heating in the air at 850C° for 3min followed by rapid quenching in a 10’3 M aqueous CuS04 solution. Continuous immersion of this plate in the CuS04 solution after quenching, facilitates to form p-Cu20 crystallites on the surface of thermally grown p-Cu20 films. Different sizes of crystallites were obtained controlling the length immersion time, in the CuS04 solution. These films were characterized by XRD, SEM, absorption spectra, photocurrent action spectra, V-I characteristic curves and applying to p-CuSCN sensitized photoelectrochemical cells from this study.