Fabrication of a SnO2-Based Hydroelectric Cell for Green Energy Production

Abstract

The generation of electricity by dissociating water into H₃O⁺ and OH^- ions through a hydroelectric cell (HEC) without liberating any toxic waste has achieved a groundbreaking feat. Nanoporous magnesium-doped SnO₂ and cobalt-doped SnO₂ materials have been prepared via a novel sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of Mg-doped SnO₂ and Co-doped SnO₂ completely match with those of pure SnO₂, which confirms the interstitial substitution of Mg and Co in the pristine SnO₂. The results shown by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory curves illustrate the surface area of Mg-doped SnO₂ and Co-doped SnO₂ to be 46.22 and 46.81 m²/g, respectively, with their pore radii being ∼3 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles were pressed into square pellets of area 4.08 cm². A zinc electrode was pasted on one side of each pellet and silver was painted on the other side to develop the HECs. The fabricated HECs of Mg-doped SnO₂ and Co-doped SnO₂ with 4.08 cm² area deliver short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and off-load output power of 41.69 mA, 0.787 V, and 32.81 mW and 77.52 mA, 0.454 V, and 35.19 mW, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry of both materials exhibited cathodic and anodic peaks in relation to the redox reactions taking place at Zn and silver electrodes. Nyquist curves of both HECs in the wet state confirm the ionic diffusion of split H₃O⁺ and OH^- ions as compared to the dry state. An off-load output power of 35.19 mW delivered by the HEC of Co-doped SnO₂ with 4.08 cm² area is quite promising and has great potential to replace other green energy sources.