Issue 38, 2022

P25-induced polydopamine conformal assembly on Cu2O polyhedra for hydrophilic and stable photoelectrochemical performance

Abstract

Cu2O has begun to show its charm and gain popularity in various photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes, but fast charge recombination and photochemical instability always limit its PEC water splitting activity and stability. Furthermore, H2O wetting on the Cu2O photocathode is the premise for PEC reaction, while research on carrier separation, photostability and still wettability has not been brought to the forefront. Herein, a self-polymerized dopamine coating is employed to directly anchor TiO2 (P25) on the surface of a Cu2O film electrode; nanoscale particles facilitate polydopamine (PDA) conformal assembly on Cu2O polyhedra. A ternary Cu2O/PDA/TiO2 composite photocathode is obtained and shows boosted PEC activity and stability. The advantages of this unique design are mainly reflected in three aspects: (1) the married heterojunction of TiO2/Cu2O provides a persistent driving force for charge separation by PDA natural adhesive properties; (2) the conversion of hydrophobicity–hydrophilicity is achieved to improve the wettability of the Cu2O film electrode assisted by conformal PDA coating; (3) the improvement of PEC stability is due to the inhibition of Cu2O photocorrosion covered by the PDA shelter. This advance bodes well for the development of the PEC field founded on multifunctional PDA.

Graphical abstract: P25-induced polydopamine conformal assembly on Cu2O polyhedra for hydrophilic and stable photoelectrochemical performance

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 jul 2022
Accepted
30 aug 2022
First published
31 aug 2022

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022,10, 14194-14201

P25-induced polydopamine conformal assembly on Cu2O polyhedra for hydrophilic and stable photoelectrochemical performance

L. Sun, L. Han, N. Li, P. Wang, M. Wang, X. Luo and X. Li, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022, 10, 14194 DOI: 10.1039/D2TC03116G

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