[17p-Z15-1~19] 1.4 Energy conversion, storage, resources and environment

[17p-Z15-3] Photocathode characteristics of CuO-Cu2O nanostructured photoactive layers prepared by photoelectrochemical -potential switching

〇Shinichi Yamamoto¹, Peiloon Khoo¹, Masanobu Izaki¹ (1.Toyogi Univ)

Keywords:thin film of copper oxide, water-splitting, photoactive layer of nanostructure

The authors have proposed a novel construction of a Cu2O/CuO photoactive layer as a photocathode for water-splitting, which was formed by alternating the photo-assisted electrodeposition potential in a copper (II)–tartrate complex aqueous solution containing copper (II) sulfate hydrate and tartaric acid. Here, we report a nanostructured CuO-Cu2O photoactive layer, formed as a result of high-frequency, multi-cycled potential switching. Its structural, optical, and photoelectrochemical characteristics were evaluated under an AM1.5 solar light source. Annealing was also performed to investigate its effect on the photocathodes.