Photodegradation of CdTe thin film via PVD for water splitting to generate hydrogen energy

Abstract

The cost-effective catalysts are attracting attention in the field of water-splitting hydrogen generation for their effective light utilization and charge separation activity. In this work, CdTe has introduced this promising photocathodic material among the few photocatalysts with a low band gap. This photocatalyst has a high activity for the PEC hydrogen evolution under simulated sunlight irradiation. XRD study reveals the confirmation of the prepared CdTe thin film. SEM study provided the morphology and surface structure for the absorption of the solar spectra, the optical properties of CdTe thin film confirmed the absorption of solar spectra for the hydrogen production. FTIR provided the functional group of the CdTe thin film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the charge transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface for CdTe thin film is much better than another semiconductor. The LSV for STH% was noted to be 1.07% for CdTe thin film and the production of hydrogen generation of CdTe thin film was observed at 4953.21 mol.g−1.h−1.

Keywords

• Solar water splitting
• Photocatalysis
• Photo (electro) catalysis
• CO2 reduction
• Green hydrogen
• Semiconductors