Cu/CuO Doped TiO2 Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

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Natthapan Sanannam
Akarawin Pimarnthisakorn
Anothai Sukvalakunchai
Pailin Ngaotrakanwiwat

Abstract


Hydrogen production from the photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC) is one of promising alternative fuels attributable to its feature as a demand-driven energy supply and being environmentally benign. This research aims to develop the photoanode electrode consisting of TiO2 particles doped with a various amount of copper (Cu/TiO2) and PVDF on the ITO glass by spin coating technique. Photoelectrochemical properties of Cu/TiO2 films were characterized by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) under UV irradiation with the intensity of 15 mW/cm2. The results showed that the appropriate amount of PVDF is 20 wt% due to the film stability and the highest photocurrent after 10 full charge/discharge cycles. The TiO2 particles doped with copper in the range of 0.5–5 mol% (0.5–5 Cu/TiO2) exhibited the difference in physical and chemical properties associated with Cu content. Moreover, the 1.5Cu/TiO2 film was considered as a promising photoanode for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) because the photocurrent of the film was 16.2 μA/cm2 with applied voltage at 0.95 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is 0.6 times greater than that of the prestige TiO2 film. Furthermore, the total generated current resulting from the photocurrent and an applying a voltage at 0.95 V was 0.23 mA/cm2.


Article Details

Section
Engineering Research Articles

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