Synthesis and characterization of high-photoactivity electrodeposited Cu{sub 2}O solar absorber by photoelectrochemistry and ultrafast spectroscopy.
- Materials Science Division
We present a systematic study on the effects of electrodeposition parameters on the photoelectrochemical properties of Cu{sub 2}O. The influence of deposition variables (temperature, pH, and deposition current density) on conductivity has been widely explored in the past for this semiconductor, but the optimization of the electrodeposition process for the photoelectrochemical response in aqueous solutions under AM 1.5 illumination has received far less attention. In this work, we analyze the photoactivity of Cu{sub 2}O films deposited at different conditions and correlate the photoresponse to morphology, film orientation, and electrical properties. The photoelectrochemical response was measured by linear sweep voltammetry under chopped simulated AM 1.5 illumination. The highest photocurrent obtained was -2.4 mA cm{sup -2} at 0.25 V vs RHE for a film thickness of 1.3 {micro}m. This is the highest reported value reached so far for this material in an aqueous electrolyte under AM 1.5 illumination. The optical and electrical properties of the most photoactive electrode were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance, while the minority carrier lifetime and diffusion length were measured by optical-pump THz-probe spectroscopy.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1041381
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/MSD/JA-73359; TRN: US201211%%544
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Vol. 116, Issue 13; ISSN 1932-7447
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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