New Concept for the Facile Fabrication of Core–Shell CuO@CuFe2O4 Photocathodes for PEC Application

Abstract

The CuO@CuFe2O4 core–shell structure represents a new family of photocatalysts that can be used as photoelectrodes that are able to produce hydrogen under a broad spectrum of visible light. Herein, we report a novel approach for the production of this active film by the thermal conversion of CuFe Prussian Blue Analogues. The outstanding photoelectrochemical properties of the photocathodes of CuO@CuFe2O4 were studied with the use of combinatory photo-electrochemical instrumental techniques which proved that the electrodes were stable over the whole water photolysis run under relatively positive potentials. Their outstanding performance was explained by the coupling of two charge transfer mechanisms occurring in core–shell architectures.

Dual Heterojunction Graphene-Supported Photocatalysts of Copper Oxide Nanowires and Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…A core–shell CuO@CuFe 2 O 4 photocatalyst system has been reported for hydrogen evolution with the photocurrent reaching −1 mA·cm –2 under relatively positive potentials. The mechanism of charge transfer for CuFe 2 O 4 can be attributed to the small polaron hopping of semiconductor conduction band “d” . The present CuFe 2 O 4 + Cu x O-Cu/G dual heterojunction photocatalyst system therefore offers the best PEC water splitting performance at 0 V versus RHE among all the Cu-based composite catalysts reported to date.…”

“…The mechanism of charge transfer for CuFe 2 O 4 can be attributed to the small polaron hopping of semiconductor conduction band "d". 22 The present CuFe 2 O 4 + Cu x O-Cu/G dual heterojunction photocatalyst system therefore offers the best PEC water splitting performance at 0 V versus RHE among all the Cu-based composite catalysts reported to date.…”

“…This configuration enhances the ability of photoelectrons to exhibit reducing capabilities. 21 A core−shell CuO@CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticle sample for hydrogen evolution reaction 22 exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic property. CuFe 2 O 4 can be synthesized by a variety of methods including solid-state reaction, 23 co-precipitation, 24 sol−gel method, 25 hydrothermal synthesis, 26 and solvothermal synthesis.…”

A 3D oxalate‐bridged [CuIIFeII] coordination polymer as molecular precursor for CuFe2O4 spinel—photocatalytic features

“…Copper ferrite has been recently reported as potential candidate for photoanode, exhibiting the narrow bandgap of 1.3–2 eV 46–48 . We have performed diffuse reflectance measurements, and from the Kubelka–Munk transformation spectra, it is evident that sample S5 shows no absorption bands in the visible light region (Figure S5).…”

“…45 The indirect bandgap can be estimated in the photon energy of about 1.52 eV and larger direct bandgap Copper ferrite has been recently reported as potential candidate for photoanode, exhibiting the narrow bandgap of 1.3-2 eV. [46][47][48] We have performed diffuse reflectance measurements, and from the Kubelka-Munk transformation spectra, it is evident that sample S5 shows no absorption bands in the visible light region (Figure S5). Moreover, the optical bandgap energy for this sample was estimated to be 1.32(1) eV.…”