Strategically engineered defects in 2D-SnS for water splitting: Green energy solution for powering LEDs with hydroelectric cells

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. B, Solid-state materials for advanced technology Solid-state materials for advanced technology, 2025-03, Vol.313, p.117949, Article 117949
• Main Authors: Arora, Hemant K., Shah, Jyoti, Kotnala, R.K., Rao, A.S., Puri, Nitin K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Green energy production; Mesoporous; Powering LED light; Solvothermal synthesis of SnS; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0921-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2024.117949

[Display omitted] •Low temperature synthesis of defective-SnS 2D nanosheets for room temperature water splitting.•Sustainable green electricity production via 2D-SnS based hydroelectric cell without utilizing light, acid, alkali, or an electrolyte.•Spontaneous water splitting occurs at the defective sites and Sulphur vacancies.•The maximum current (Imax) of 15 mA generated by 2 × 2 cm2 pellet of SnS HEC through water splitting. The development of Hydroelectric cell (HEC) offers a promising solution to the current energy crises driven by the immense energy demand. Metal oxide and 2D nanosheets-based HECs are attracting significant attention for harvesting green electrical energy through water splitting, providing a sustainable power source for electronic devices. In this research, a SnS based HEC is fabricated to advance the environmentally friendly method of water splitting at room temperature, aimed at producing electricity. Mesoporous and highly crystalline 2D SnS nanosheets have been synthesized by rapid one-pot solvothermal method. Its morphology, structure and chemical composition were investigated employing various analytical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Braumer emmer teller (BET) analysis have revealed the formation of orthorhombic, lamellar SnS nanosheets with high specific surface area. To fabricate the HEC, a zinc electrode was affixed to one side of the SnS pellet, and an inert silver electrode was painted on the opposite side. The fabricated SnS-based HEC, with an area of 4 cm2, delivers a short circuit current of 15 mA, an open circuit voltage of 0.74 V, and an offload output power of 11.1 mW. Cyclic voltammetry revealed distinct cathodic and anodic peaks, corresponding to the redox reactions at the zinc and silver electrodes. The Nyquist curve of SnS-based HEC in its wet condition supports the ionic diffusion of dissociated H3O+ and OH– ions, demonstrating efficient electrochemistry.