Cu<sub>2</sub>O film: production and characterization<i></i>

The increasing demand for renewable energy solutions has driven research into cost-effective materials for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of Cu2O thin films obtained via electrodeposition, aiming to optimize their structural, optical, and electronic properties for photocatalytic applications. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a direct bandgap of 2.0 eV, confirming the material's suitability for visible light absorption. Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) analysis demonstrated that the films predominantly belong to the cubic crystal system, with a preferential (111) crystalline orientation. On the other hand, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), a surface-sensitive technique, indicated the coexistence of Cu2O and a minor proportion of CuO, likely resulting from surface oxidation. While bulk characterization confirmed that the core material remained Cu2O, the presence of hydroxides and carbonates in the surface suggests that optimizing deposition conditions or post-treatment processes could enhance stability and phase purity. These findings underscore the potential of Cu2O films as efficient photocathodes for hydrogen production. Future studies should focus on minimizing surface oxidation and integrating Cu2O-based electrodes into complete photoelectrochemical cells for sustainable energy applications.