Photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution on the copper surface

This electronic document is a part of the MSc. degree in the Corrosion Control Eng./UK. The aim of this project is to investigate whether or not the oxygen-free water oxidises copper due to the photoelectrochemical decomposition of water at prior either copper oxides or copper sulfide that covered copper surface. This study involved study the effect of the visible light irradiation on the current density of either Cu₂O or Cu₂S that covered copper surface immersed in either aerated or deaerated 0.1 M NaCl solution, calculation concentration of dissolved hydrogen in the water, and detection hydrogen gas. This study showed that the current density of either Cu₂O or Cu₂S increased toward cathodic region at light condition. It also showed that hydrogen evolution on the Cu₂O surface, which was formed on the clean copper surface by anodic polarisation method, was detected and the oxygen that was produced could react with copper.