Roonak Abdul Salam A. Alkareem, Osama Abdul Azeez Dakhil, Baida M. Ahmed
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This research presents a non-traditional method for surface modification. a Cu2O/CuO heterostructure was prepared on Cu foil by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and used as a photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Cu2O/CuO heterostructure was prepared at 1 min, 3 min, and 6 min exposures of the Ar/O2 gas mixture using DBD plasma, followed by the calcination process at 200 °C for 2 hours. The samples were applied toward PEC water splitting. The samples' X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the cubic phase of Cu2O and the monoclinic phase of CuO. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images show that the sample after 1 min of plasma exposure consists of a broccoli-like microstructure, and by increasing the duration time to 3 min and 6 min, the microwire structure was prepared. The presence of minuscule nanoparticles on the surface of all microstructures leads to an elevation in aspect ratio and charge carrier density, resulting in improved performance in photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. The highest photocurrent of 6.53 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was recorded for Cu2O/CuO heterostructure prepared at 3 min exposure plasma under AM 1.5G irradiation. A longer exposure time of DBD plasma causes more thickness and increases the recombination of charge carriers, which decreases the photocurrent density to 4.32 mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE. This study demonstrates the development of a Cu2O/CuO heterostructure on Cu foil with a high aspect ratio as a promising method for enhancing the photoresponse of the Cu2O/CuO photocathode in the context of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.
期刊介绍:
The objective of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research is to disseminate knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological phenomena and processes in structures that have at least one lengthscale ranging from molecular to approximately 100 nm (or submicron in some situations), and exhibit improved and novel properties that are a direct result of their small size.
Nanoparticle research is a key component of nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology.
The focus of the Journal is on the specific concepts, properties, phenomena, and processes related to particles, tubes, layers, macromolecules, clusters and other finite structures of the nanoscale size range. Synthesis, assembly, transport, reactivity, and stability of such structures are considered. Development of in-situ and ex-situ instrumentation for characterization of nanoparticles and their interfaces should be based on new principles for probing properties and phenomena not well understood at the nanometer scale. Modeling and simulation may include atom-based quantum mechanics; molecular dynamics; single-particle, multi-body and continuum based models; fractals; other methods suitable for modeling particle synthesis, assembling and interaction processes. Realization and application of systems, structures and devices with novel functions obtained via precursor nanoparticles is emphasized. Approaches may include gas-, liquid-, solid-, and vacuum-based processes, size reduction, chemical- and bio-self assembly. Contributions include utilization of nanoparticle systems for enhancing a phenomenon or process and particle assembling into hierarchical structures, as well as formulation and the administration of drugs. Synergistic approaches originating from different disciplines and technologies, and interaction between the research providers and users in this field, are encouraged.