Power generation using hydrothermally synthesized mesoporous Mg substituted NiO based on-photo catalytic hydroelectric cell

Abstract

Water-based energy production devices are fast attracting substantial scientific interest due to the ongoing search for future alternate energy supplies. Using a versatile Hydroelectric strategy, here we have demonstrated the fabrication of NiO and Mg-NiO nanoparticle-based hydroelectric cell (HECs) which works on splitting water into H+ and OH−. After the substitution of Mg in NiO BET depicts three times increase in the specific surface area (118 m2/g) of the material which provides more cross section for water splitting to occur. XPS and EPR demonstrate that after Mg substitution oxygen defects in NiO are increased which boosts the physidissociation process of water-splitting. Change in morphology from nanoplate to nanoring has been observed by the FESEM study. A decrease in the band gap from 3.3 eV to 2.2 eV has been observed by Mg substitution in NiO. The Nyquist plot demonstrates the decrease in the internal resistance from 55 Ω of the NiO to 25 Ω by Mg substitution. The Mg-NiO-based HECs deliver a high-power density of about 2.12 times (i.e., 36.5 W/m2) than pure NiO-based HECs. After Mg substitution open circuit voltage generated by HEC increased from 0.7 V to 1.1 V. This study thoroughly reveals the mechanism of magnesium substitution in NiO and proposes a feasible novel technique for meeting current energy demands.