Browsing by Author "Rajapaksha, R. D. A. A."

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    Cu2O Quantum Dots (QDs) Sensitized Cu/p-CuI Photo-electrode for H2 Generation through Efficient Water Splitting
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Rajapaksha, R. D. A. A.; Fernando, C. A. N.; De Silva, S. N. T.
    Water splitting by sunlight to generate hydrogen and oxygen is a fascinating way of energy production. Metal oxides such as Cu2O, TiO2, ZnO and WO3 with various morphologies have been investigated for water splitting (Fujishima & Honda, 1972). However, most of these metal oxides have large band gaps, which limit the light absorption in the visible region and hence the overall efficiency of the process. To achieve a better photoelectrochemical response with these materials, an extensive research has been done on adding nanostructures (Feng et al., 2008; Wu & Yu, 2004). One possibility is the use of semiconductor nanocrystals (3D nanostructure), known as quantum dots (QDs), as an alternative to this problem (Adachi et al., 2004). In this research study, H2 generation at QDs is presented for the first time efficiently. Energy level positions were used to confirm the QD sensitization process associated at Cu/p-CuI/QD electrolyte interface. Methodology M) solution and boiled until the formation of Cu2O QDs on p-CuI nano-particles at Cu/p-CuI. Variation in boiling time produce various sizes of Cu2O QD on Cu/p-CuI electrode and colour variation according to the boiling time is shown in Fig.1 (b-f). Table 1 shows the variation of the extent of Cu2O QD produced on the Cu/CuI photoelectrode by weight with boiling time in CuSO4 solution. The mechanism of the formation of QDs on the p-CuI particles may be presented from the following reaction.