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Preparation and photoelectrochemical characterization of the Ca2Co2O5, as novel photocatalyst for the H2 photo-production

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Abstract

Ca2Co2O5 was successfully synthesized from nitrate precursors. It crystallizes in the brownmillerite structure and exhibits semiconducting properties. The oxide was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG/DTA thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV–visible spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The XRD pattern of a powder calcined at 750 °C shows a single phase of Ca2Co2O5, in agreement with the TG/DTA plots. A direct gap of 0.72 eV was revealed from the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity follows an exponential lawσ = σo exp{-0.10 eV/kT}. The photoelectrochemistry was undertaken and assessed for the hydrogen formation under visible light. The p-type conduction was demonstrated from the Mott–Schottky plot (C−2 vs. the applied potential); a flat band potential (Efb) of 0.07 VSCE and a hole density (ND) of 5.36 × 1019 cm−3 were determined in Na2SO4 (0.1 M) solution. Ca2Co2O5 was employed with success for H2 production under visible-light irradiation, since the conduction-band potential (-0.63 VSCE) is cathodically located with respect to the H2O/H2 couple, at neutral pH. A liberation rate of 22 µmol g−1 min−1 and a quantum yield of 0.18% were achieved under a light flux of 29 mW cm−2.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to F. M. Laoui, Crystallography-Thermodynamics Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, USTHB, for his technical assistance in the thermal analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center in Chemical and Physical Analysis (C.R.A.P.C), RP, BP384, Bou-Ismail Tipaza, Algeria

    F. Saib, F. Touahra, Y. Azoudj, R. Chebout, D. Lerari & K. Bachari

  2. Laboratory of Storage and Valorization of Renewable Energies, Faculty of Chemistry, USTHB, BP 32, 16111, Algiers, Algeria

    M. Trari

  3. LEC, Ecole Militaire Polytechnique, BP17, Algiers, BEB, Algeria

    A. Abdi

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Saib, F., Touahra, F., Azoudj, Y. et al. Preparation and photoelectrochemical characterization of the Ca2Co2O5, as novel photocatalyst for the H2 photo-production. J Solid State Electrochem 26, 607–619 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-022-05118-w

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