The catalytic activity and specificity of gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) seeded cuprous (I) oxide (Cu2O) thin films reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is investigated using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) or cyclic voltammetry (CV). The photocatalytic electrode is fabricated by first loading Au NPs using a block copolymer template of polystyrene-block-4-vinylpyridine (PS-b-4VP) on to indium tin oxide (ITO). Then highly active Cu2O is electrodeposited by bulk electrolysis at constant potential. The Au NPs are used as nucleation sites to control the size and form of the Cu2O. The addition of the Au NPs not only increases the surface area to volume ratio of the Cu2O but also harnesses the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the NPs for increased photon absorbance. A thin titanium oxide (TiO2) coating is then applied via sol-gel method to protect against photocathodic degradation of the Cu2O typical in aqueous electrolyte solution.

Highly active cuprous oxide photocathode for the selective photoelectrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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