Optimization of mesoporous magnesium ferrite hydroelectric cells for sustainable green electricity generation via Zirconium doping.

Novel hydroelectric cells exploit porosity and structural defects to dissociate deionized water for hydroelectricity generation. In the present study, these essential attributes have been engineered using Zr4+ doping in MgFe 2 O 4 using the facile sol-gel method. Comprehensive structural analysis performed using modern analytical techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Raman Spectroscopy ascertained the pure spinel cubic phase of the synthesized nanoparticles. Morphologically, the material was probed using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis, identifying highly porous and agglomerated spherical grains. The mesoporous structure of the samples was further determined using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface examination. An inclusive evaluation employing Photoluminescence (PL) examination in the UV spectral region revealed the existence of oxygen-deficient sites and intrinsic defects inside the doped magnesium ferrites. These results were further validated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Significant lattice strain (≈2.5 × 10−3) and the presence of oxygen vacancies, defects, and mesoporosity influence water dissociation at the ferrite surface. These attributes were utilized to facilitate the generation of hydroelectric current. The maximum short circuit current values recorded for MgZr 0.05 Fe 1.95 O 4 (ZMF-1) and MgZr 0.10 Fe 1.90 O 4 (ZMF-2) were observed to be 6.3 and 11.6 mA, respectively, with corresponding output voltages of 0.77 V and 0.89 V. The incorporation of Zirconium (Zr) dopant not only enhances the hydroelectric current but also contributes to sustained current generation over extended periods. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]