TY - JOUR
T1 - Functionalized Graphene-Incorporated Cupric Oxide Charge-Transport Layer for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance and Hydrogen Evolution
AU - Krishna, Ambati Mounika Sai
AU - Ramasubramanian, Brindha
AU - Haseena, Sheik
AU - Bamola, Priyanka
AU - Sharma, Himani
AU - Mahata, Chandreswar
AU - Chroneos, Alexander
AU - Krishnamurthy, Satheesh
AU - Ravva, Mahesh Kumar
AU - Chandu, Basavaiah
AU - Lim, Yee Fun
AU - Kumar, Avishek
AU - Ramakrishna, Seeram
AU - Biring, Sajal
AU - Chakrabortty, Sabyasachi
AU - Dalapati, Goutam Kumar
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - The production of hydrogen (H2) through photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS) using renewable energy sources, particularly solar light, has been considered a promising solution for global energy and environmental challenges. In the field of hydrogen-scarce regions, metal oxide semiconductors have been extensively researched as photocathodes. For UV-visible light-driven PEC-WS, cupric oxide (CuO) has emerged as a suitable photocathode. However, the stability of the photocathode (CuO) against photo-corrosion is crucial in developing CuO-based PEC cells. This study reports a stable and effective CuO and graphene-incorporated (Gra-COOH) CuO nanocomposite photocathode through a sol-gel solution-based technique via spin coating. Incorporating graphene into the CuO nanocomposite photocathode resulted in higher stability and an increase in photocurrent compared to bare CuO photocathode electrodes. Compared to cuprous oxide (Cu2O), the CuO photocathode was more identical and thermally stable during PEC-WS due to its high oxidation number. Additionally, the CuO:Gra-COOH nanocomposite photocathode exhibited a H2 evolution of approximately 9.3 µmol, indicating its potential as a stable and effective photocathode for PEC-WS. The enhanced electrical properties of the CuO:Gra-COOH nanocomposite exemplify its potential for use as a charge-transport layer.
AB - The production of hydrogen (H2) through photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS) using renewable energy sources, particularly solar light, has been considered a promising solution for global energy and environmental challenges. In the field of hydrogen-scarce regions, metal oxide semiconductors have been extensively researched as photocathodes. For UV-visible light-driven PEC-WS, cupric oxide (CuO) has emerged as a suitable photocathode. However, the stability of the photocathode (CuO) against photo-corrosion is crucial in developing CuO-based PEC cells. This study reports a stable and effective CuO and graphene-incorporated (Gra-COOH) CuO nanocomposite photocathode through a sol-gel solution-based technique via spin coating. Incorporating graphene into the CuO nanocomposite photocathode resulted in higher stability and an increase in photocurrent compared to bare CuO photocathode electrodes. Compared to cuprous oxide (Cu2O), the CuO photocathode was more identical and thermally stable during PEC-WS due to its high oxidation number. Additionally, the CuO:Gra-COOH nanocomposite photocathode exhibited a H2 evolution of approximately 9.3 µmol, indicating its potential as a stable and effective photocathode for PEC-WS. The enhanced electrical properties of the CuO:Gra-COOH nanocomposite exemplify its potential for use as a charge-transport layer.
KW - charge-transfer layer
KW - cupric oxide (CuO)
KW - graphene
KW - hydrogen (H)
KW - photocathode
KW - photoelectrochemical (PEC)
KW - stability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85153954803&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/catal13040785
DO - 10.3390/catal13040785
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85153954803
SN - 2073-4344
VL - 13
JO - Catalysts
JF - Catalysts
IS - 4
M1 - 785
ER -