ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Photoelectrocatalytic improvement of copper oxide thin film fabricated using anodization strategy application in nitrite degradation and promoting oxygen evolution

Chatchai Ponchio and Wanasiri Srevarit

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand

E-mail: chatchai@rmutt.ac.th

Received: 30 May 2020  Accepted: 19 September 2020

Abstract:

This research is to develop Cu oxide thin film preparation using the anodization technique for the highest efficiency nitrite degradation and promoting oxygen evolution improvement. The electrochemical cell is developed by designing the electrode position to enhance the efficiency of Cu oxide thin film deposition on the anode electrode. The effects of precursor solution temperature, deposition time, and calcination temperature were studied to enhance the photoelectrocatalytic water reduction properties. The characteristics of the fabricated Cu oxide thin film were studied using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods related to the photoelectrocatalytic activity improvement. The calcination temperature is a significant factor affecting physical properties, crystalline structure, morphology, and charge transfer rate, which relate to the photoelectrocatalytic activities. We have succeeded in developing the photoelectrocatalytic cell using the developed Cu oxide photocathode in cooperation with the FTO/WO₃/BiVO₄ photoanode for nitrite degradation and simultaneous oxygen production up to 98% and 6.0 mgO₂/L for 120 min, respectively. This research is especially suitable for further development leading to a water treatment application that eliminates inorganic ions and increases the dissolved oxygen value in an aquarium system.

Keywords: Anodization; Cu2O thin film; Photoelectrocatalytic; Nitrite degradation; O2 production

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-020-01369-x

Chemical Papers 75 (3) 1123–1132 (2021)