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Efficient photo-electrochemical performance using CuO-based electrodes in aqua medium

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Abstract

Copper oxide impregnated with different amounts of PbO and selenium layer were synthesized by electrodeposition, followed by anodization and heat treatment. The photocurrent performance of the cathodes was determined using DC (linear sweep photo-voltammetry and chronopotentiometry) and AC (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) techniques. The photocurrent response was maximal for the CuO electrode with 13 % Pb (Cu32.06Pb12.84O54.25Se0.85). High photo-conversion efficiency (2 %) was achieved for the sample with a band gap of 1.6 eV in 0.5 M Na2SO4 medium at −0.2 V (vs. SCE) bias potential under illumination. The photocurrent stability of the samples was tested at 0 V (vs. SCE) in the flip-flop light condition for 50 min. Physical characterizations such as field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy were performed to gather information about the morphology, elemental compositions, crystallinity, binding energy and band gap of the thin film.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education for the financial support from grants FRGS/2/2013/TK06/UKM/03/1, RP005B-13AET and FP033 2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic Azad University-Gorgan Branch, Gorgan, Iran

    Mehdi Ebadi, Maziar A. Golsefidi, Aryan Sateei & Ramin Zafar Mehrabian

  2. Solar Energy Research Institute, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohamad Y. Sulaiman, Mohd A. Mat-Teridi & Kamaruzzaman Sopian

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Wan J. Basirun

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  1. Mehdi Ebadi
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  2. Mohamad Y. Sulaiman
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Correspondence to Mehdi Ebadi.

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Ebadi, M., Sulaiman, M.Y., Mat-Teridi, M.A. et al. Efficient photo-electrochemical performance using CuO-based electrodes in aqua medium. J Appl Electrochem 46, 645–653 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-016-0948-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-016-0948-y

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