High photoelectrochemical performance of a p-type reduced graphene oxide-copper oxide/Cu foil (rGO-CuO/Cu) photoelectrode prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method

Toward solar-to-hydrogen generation, it is required to assembling an efficient photoelectrode in the solar energy conversion system. The preparation of rGO-CuO/Cu photoelectrode via a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach is reported. Here, we present the physicochemical and performance of rGO-CuO/Cu photoelectrode in different hydrothermal reaction time. The XRD, XPS, HRTEM, FESEM, and Raman analysis authenticate the formation of rGO-CuO/Cu composites. The photoelectrochemical properties measurement (including UV-Vis, photovoltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky analysis) demonstrated the best performance for photoelectrode synthesized in 3 hours of hydrothermal reaction. The rGO-CuO/Cu3 composites recorded a charge carrier density of 6.548 x 10(24) cm(-3) and generating a highest photocurrent density of 9.6 mA cm(-2) (vs Ag/AgCl). By optimizing the reaction time, higher photocurrent was generated due to more surface capable for effective charge transfer separation. Thus, with the facile method, the technique was shown to be attractive in preparing photocathodes for photoelectrochemical energy conversion.

Automated summary

In this study, an efficient photoelectrode, rGO-CuO/Cu, was prepared using a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach. The best performance was observed in the photoelectrode synthesized in 3 hours of hydrothermal reaction, with higher photocurrent density and charge carrier density. Optimizing the reaction time led to more surface area available for effective charge transfer separation, improving the overall performance of the photoelectrode in solar-to-hydrogen generation.