Novel application of multiferroic compound for green electricity generation fabricated as hydroelectric cell

Abstract

Creation of nanoporosity and oxygen deficiency in ferrite and metal oxides has played a unique key role in dissociation of water molecules to generate electricity by hydroelectric cell (HEC). Multiferroic compounds have been explored extensively for its multidimensional applications as spintronics material but its inherent limitation of oxygen deficiency presence in the compound has exploited for water molecule dissociation in the fabrication of HEC. Multiferroic nanocomposites of tetragonal BaTiO3 (BTO) and cubic CoFe2O4 (CFO) have been synthesized at low temperature in order to create oxygen defects and nanoporosity. Nanocomposite (1-x)BTO-xCFO (x = 0.0, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, 1.0) based HEC has been investigated for water molecule dissociation to generate electricity. Nanocomposite BTO-CFO based HEC generated more current and voltage compared to single BTO/CFO compound. Multiferroic nanocomposite exhibits lattice strain in BTO due to lattice mismatch of two phases. Moreover X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline BTO-CFO showed compressive strain in tetragonal lattice also confirmed by high resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM). Lattice mismatch of two phase induces strain in BTO lattice lead to defects which is confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. Porous microstructure and grain size distribution from 66 to 300 nm has been observed by field effect scanning electron microscopy images. Circular disc of BTO-CFO (area 4.5 cm2) has been fabricated as HEC with zinc and silver electrodes attached on opposite faces of disc. On the cell surface dissociation of water molecule occurs spontaneously at room temperature. Electricity is produced on the migration and collection of dissociated H3O+ and OH− by Ag and Zn electrodes. Maximum current 7.93 mA and 0.70 V has been generated from BTO85 based HEC by sprinkling few drops of water on the cell surface.