Photocorrosion of Cuprous Oxide in Hydrogen Production: Rationalising Self‐Oxidation or Self‐Reduction |
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| Authors: | Cui Ying Toe Prof Zhaoke Zheng Hao Wu Prof Jason Scott Prof Rose Amal Dr Yun Hau Ng |
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| Institution: | 1. Particles and Catalysis Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia;2. State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, China;3. School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, P.R. China |
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| Abstract: | Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) is a photocatalyst with severe photocorrosion issues. Theoretically, it can undergo both self‐oxidation (to form copper oxide (CuO)) and self‐reduction (to form metallic copper (Cu)) upon illumination with the aid of photoexcited charges. There is, however, limited experimental understanding of the “dominant” photocorrosion pathway. Both photocorrosion modes can be regulated by tailoring the conditions of the photocatalytic reactions. Photooxidation of Cu2O (in the form of a suspension system), accompanied by corroded morphology, is kinetically favourable and is the prevailing deactivation pathway. With knowledge of the dominant deactivation mode of Cu2O, suppression of self‐photooxidation together with enhancement in its overall photocatalytic performance can be achieved after a careful selection of sacrificial hole (h+) scavenger. In this way, stable hydrogen (H2) production can be attained without the need for deposition of secondary components. |
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| Keywords: | crystal morphology cuprous oxide hydrogen evolution reaction photocatalysis photooxidation |
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