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Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation

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Thermoelectricity Enhanced Electrocatalysis.

Tiva Sharifi¹, Xiang Zhang, Gelu Costin

¹Department of Physics, Umeå University , SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.

|November 9, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Thermoelectric materials can act as electrocatalysts, using generated voltage to enhance reactions. Nanostructured materials like Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{1.5}$Te$_{3}$ show significant activity in hydrogen evolution reactions driven by temperature gradients.

Keywords:

Thermoelectrocatalysis electrocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction temperature gradient thermoelectric materials

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Demonstrating the Simplicity and In Situ Temperature Monitoring of the Mechanochemical Synthesis of Metal Chalcogenides Suitable for Thermoelectrics

Demonstrating the Simplicity and In Situ Temperature Monitoring of the Mechanochemical Synthesis of Metal Chalcogenides Suitable for Thermoelectrics

Published on: August 30, 2024

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Thermoelectric materials are known for converting heat into electricity.
Electrocatalysis is crucial for energy conversion reactions, such as hydrogen evolution.
Exploring novel applications for thermoelectric materials is an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate that thermoelectric materials can function as electrocatalysts.
To investigate the use of thermoelectric voltage to initiate and enhance electrocatalytic reactions.
To explore the application of nanostructured thermoelectric materials in hydrogen evolution reactions.

Main Methods:

Utilizing two-dimensional layered thermoelectric materials, specifically Sb$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ and Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{1.5}$Te$_{3}$.
Inducing temperature gradients to generate thermoelectricity.
Measuring current density and turnover frequency under applied temperature gradients.

Main Results:

Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{1.5}$Te$_{3}$ produced a current density of approximately 50 mA/cm$^{2}$ at zero potential with a 90 °C temperature gradient.
Turnover frequency reached 2.7 s$^{-1}$ at 100 mV under temperature gradient conditions, compared to zero without.
Demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution reactions due to thermoelectricity.

Conclusions:

Thermoelectric materials possess electrocatalytic properties, offering a new dimension to their functionality.
Thermoelectric voltage generated from temperature gradients can effectively initiate and boost electrocatalytic reactions.
This finding has potential applications in both electrocatalysis and energy generation fields.