Abstract
This study focuses on the development and analysis of a device known as hydroelectric cell. It generates electricity directly from water by splitting it into H(3)O(+) and OH(-) ions at room temperature. This eco-friendly device also produces hydrogen gas as a byproduct. CeO(2) and Ni-doped CeO(2) nanoparticles were synthesized via the coprecipitation method and thoroughly characterized. X-ray diffraction confirmed their crystalline fluorite structure, while Raman spectroscopy and FTIR analysis revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies induced by nickel doping. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed a well-dispersed polyhedral morphology, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis indicated a significant enhancement in surface properties. The surface area increased from 34.83 m(2)/g for pristine CeO(2) to 113.18 m(2)/g for (3M%) Ni-CeO(2), with a pore size of 7.5 nm and a pore volume of 0.1653 cm(3)/g. The fabricated 4 cm(2) hydroelectric cells achieved an open-circuit voltage of 0.9 V and short-circuit currents of 8.98, 15.03, 40.0, and 12.0 mA for CeO(2), (1M%) Ni-CeO(2), (3M%) Ni-CeO(2) and (5M%) Ni-CeO(2), respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed enhanced ionic diffusion under wet conditions, with the 3M% Ni-CeO(2) hydroelectric cell showing the lowest impedance (∼16 Ω). The 4-fold increase in current generation from pristine CeO(2) to (3M%) Ni-CeO(2) underscores the role of nickel in enhancing water dissociation, highlighting the potential of these hydroelectric cells for sustainable green energy applications.