Cu2O film: production and characterization

Carla Ricardo; Sâmella Andrade  Brum; Patrícia Canazart Azzi; Arno Heeren de  Oliveira; Antonella Lombardi  Costa

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2846

Authors

Carla Ricardo Federal University of Minas Gerais
Sâmella Andrade Brum Federal University of Minas Gerais
Patrícia Canazart Azzi Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear
Dr. Arno Heeren de Oliveira Federal University of Minas Gerais
Dra. Antonella Lombardi Costa Federal University of Minas Gerais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2846

Keywords:

Cu2O Film, Electrodeposition, Semiconductor Film Characterization

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy solutions has driven research into cost-effective materials for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of Cu₂O thin films obtained via electrodeposition, aiming to optimize their structural, optical, and electronic properties for photocatalytic applications. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a direct bandgap of 2.0 eV, confirming the material's suitability for visible light absorption. Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) analysis demonstrated that the films predominantly belong to the cubic crystal system, with a preferential (111) crystalline orientation. On the other hand, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), a surface-sensitive technique, indicated the coexistence of Cu₂O and a minor proportion of CuO, likely resulting from surface oxidation. While bulk characterization confirmed that the core material remained Cu₂O, the presence of hydroxides and carbonates in the surface suggests that optimizing deposition conditions or post-treatment processes could enhance stability and phase purity. These findings underscore the potential of Cu₂O films as efficient photocathodes for hydrogen production. Future studies should focus on minimizing surface oxidation and integrating Cu₂O-based electrodes into complete photoelectrochemical cells for sustainable energy applications.

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Author Biographies

Dr. Arno Heeren de Oliveira, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Departamento de Engenharia Nuclear
Dra. Antonella Lombardi Costa, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Departamento de Engenharia Nuclear

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