Publication date: 26th March 2026
In this talk, I will discuss recent advances from our laboratory on cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) photoelectrodes for solar-driven chemical transformations. Our work explores several complementary material architectures, including thin-film photocathodes, thin-film photoanodes, and particle-based photocatalysts, all derived from Cu₂O as the light-absorbing semiconductor. This unified materials platform allows us to investigate both reductive and oxidative photochemical processes within a common conceptual framework.
On the reductive side, we study the photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water, as well as the value-added reduction of organic molecules, where solar-generated electrons drive the synthesis of useful chemical products. On the oxidative side, we examine the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from water alongside selective oxidation reactions of organic substrates, which offer opportunities for solar-powered chemical manufacturing beyond simple fuel production.
I will begin by describing our approaches to fabricating and modifying Cu₂O thin-film electrodes, including strategies that enable the material to function as either a photocathode or a photoanode despite its intrinsic electronic properties. I will then highlight several representative catalytic reactions that demonstrate the versatility of this semiconductor platform. Finally, I will present recent progress toward translating thin-film photoelectrode concepts into particle-based systems, with the long-term goal of enabling scalable photocatalytic architectures for solar-driven chemical synthesis.
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