Synthesis of P-Cu2o/Rgo Composite Films for Enhancing Photocurrent of P-Cu2o and H-2 Generation

Composites of p type cuprous oxide (p-Cu2O) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared by depositing an rGO layer on top of nano-sized Cu2O particles prepared on a Cu substrate. These synthesized composites help to enhance the photocurrent over that of bare Cu2O, which means rGO acts as an excellent electron acceptor to separate electrons from Cu2O particles. Here the p-Cu2O layer was fabricated using thermal oxidation and the rGO layer was fabricated using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The samples thus fabricated were characterized using diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, time development of the photocurrent of photoelectrochemical cells, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. H-2 evolution was observed using a gas chromatograph system.