Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production by Screen-Printed Copper Oxide Electrodes

In this work, copper oxides-based photocathodes for photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) were produced the first time by screen printing. A total 7 × 10−3 g/m2 glycerine trioleate was found as optimum deflocculant amount to assure stable and homogeneous inks, based on CuO nano-powder. The inks formulated considering different binder amounts deposited producing films with homogenous thickness, microstructure, roughness. as-produced thermally treated obtain Cu2O- Cu2O/CuO-based electrodes. increased porosity obtained adding higher of in ink positively affected electron transfer from surface electrode electrolyte, thus increasing corresponding photocurrent values. Moreover, Cu2O/CuO system showed a charge carrier density than Cu2O-based one. mixed allowed most significant hydrogen production, especially slightly acid reaction conditions.