Absorption spectra and photoresponse observation of Cu$_{2}$O thin film photoanodes

Electrodeposition was used to deposit Cu$_{2}$O thin films on ITO substrates. The deposited Cu$_{2}$O films were characterized by photocurrent, absorption and reflectance spectroscopy. Photoresponse of the film clearly indicated n-type behavior of Cu$_{2}$O in photoelectrochemical cells. The effects of chlorine doped photoanodes deposited in different solution pH on the magnitude of their photocurrent are studied. The low temperature absorption spectra of chlorine doped Cu$_{2}$O films are found to depend on the solution pH in the range 10.0-7.5. Optical absorption spectra of Cu$_{2}$O films were measured in the temperature range 79K - 295K. The Urbach's tail was observed for n-type conductive Cu$_{2}$O films in the temperature range 79K to 295K. The Urbach's energy as a function of temperature for Cu$_{2}$O films were studied. The results will be discussed with emphasis on the reflectance, absorption and photoresponse observation.