Lithium-doped SnO2 porous ceramics-based hydroelectric cells: a novel green energy source for sustainable power generation

Oxygen deficient materials which cause the efficient splitting of water molecules has astonished the electricity generation device. This green energy harnessing device is known as hydroelectric cell. An easily processed and cost effective two stage solid-state sintering method has been opted to produce Lithium-doped SnO2 based highly efficient hydroelectric cells having no toxic by product. Structural analysis and morphological behavior of the synthesized samples were determined by the X-Ray diffraction technique and field emission scanning electron microscopy. SEM images depicted that the samples possess a highly porous nature with average grain size lying in the range 45–55 nm for all the samples. Pore volume, pore size distribution and adsorption–desorption isothermal curves were investigated using Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda technique. All the samples exhibited mesoporous size distribution having average pore radius values 2–3 nm. Dissociation of water molecules into H3O+ and OH− ions and further ionic diffusion of these dissociated ions for the electrical energy production inside the material have been confirmed using dielectric and dc conductivity measurements of samples in both dry and hydrated conditions. Circular pellets of pure and Li-doped SnO2 samples of 2 inch diameters were fabricated to investigate the hydroelectric properties. It was observed that 15 mol% Li-doped SnO2 sample had the almost constant and sustainable current with value of 70 mA and the voltage about 0.98 V for a long duration of time. Thus, these nanostructured materials can serve as efficient and promising candidates for green energy production devices due to their high surface-to-volume ratios, exceptional charge transport features, and good physiochemical properties.