Electrochemical Growth of Cu2O Photocathodes for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production

Project overview. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising route for converting sunlight directly into renewable hydrogen. Cu2O is a visible-light-absorbing p-type semiconductor with earth-abundant constituent elements and attractive energetics for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. Its PEC performance, however, is highly sensitive to phase purity, crystallographic orientation, morphology, thickness, defects, and photocorrosion. Electrodeposition offers a low-temperature and potentially scalable route to control these properties. This MSc project will develop a reproducible electrochemical deposition process for Cu2O and investigate how growth conditions determine the material properties and subsequent PEC response. 

Research approach. After establishing a baseline deposition process, the student will systematically vary a limited number of high-impact parameters such as deposition potential/current density, electrolyte composition, pH, and deposition time. The films will be characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy, and relevant semiconductor/electrochemical methods. PEC performance will be assessed using dark/light linear sweep voltammetry, chopped illumination, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and stability tests. The central scientific aim is to establish clear process-structure-property-performance relationships and determine why specific deposition conditions lead to different PEC behavior. 

Expected outcomes and training. The project should identify the growth parameters that strongly influence Cu2O phase formation, morphology, crystal orientation, optical response, charge transport, and stability. The student will gain practical experience in electrodeposition, semiconductor thin films, structural and optical characterization, electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific troubleshooting. Strong and complete results may contribute to a peer-reviewed publication. 

Candidate profile. We are looking for a motivated MSc student in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, applied physics, renewable energy, electrochemistry, or a related discipline. Previous experience with electrodeposition or semiconductor characterization is useful but not essential. Curiosity, systematic experimental work, reliability, and the ability to analyze unexpected results are more important. 

The work will be carried out in the newly built laboratories at imec in EnergyVille campus, Genk, working within the solar fuels team on power to molecules strategy group. 

Practical information