Much attempt have been reported on the effects of nitrogen treatment on the structural, optical and electrical properties of Cu2O films. This paper reports for the first time the use of urea as nitrogen source to treat the anodized Cu2O-based thin film. Not only that urea is considered as a safer and more environmentally friendly nitrogen source compared to ammonia (typical nitrogen source), the resulting urea-treated anodized Cu foil exhibited a significant enhancement in charge carrier density due to the preservation of the metallic copper component via the intermediate Cu3N during the treatment facilitated higher bulk conductance of the Cu-Cu2O-CuO photocathode.

Read more: ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces - Just Accepted Manuscript (DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b06601)

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b06601