Optical and microstructural properties of electrodeposited cuprous oxide

Abstract

The production of hydrogen fuel using photoelectrochemical water splitting method requires semiconductor materials with suitable energy gap, electrical and optical properties. Cuprous oxide is feasible candidate fulfilling many of these requirements to be the photocathode of such devices. In this study, we investigated optical and microstructural properties of cuprous oxide prepared under different temperatures. Microstructure properties were evaluated by statistical, fractal and Fourier methods. Roughness characteristics, Fourier transforms and multifractal characteristics provide consistent information connected with the distribution of surface objects created during sample fabrication. Our methodology is feasible to provide practical insights for the fabrication and monitoring of surface and optical properties of Cu2O and other semiconductor materials.