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All-Printed Flexible Hygro-Thermoelectric Paper Generator
Haoyu Shen1, Ke Xu1, Yulong Duan1
1School of Light Industry and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Rd., 381#, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510640, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|January 22, 2023
Summary
This study presents a printed paper generator that harvests energy from humidity and temperature changes. It achieves significant voltage output, enabling self-powered systems and sustainable energy solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Harvesting
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Renewable energy generation from ambient hygrothermal resources is crucial for self-powered systems.
- Existing thermoelectric generators face limitations in efficiency and operational scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an all-printed flexible hygro-thermoelectric paper generator.
- To achieve synergistic utilization of moist-diffusion, Soret, and Seebeck effects for enhanced energy generation.
- To develop a sustainable and cost-efficient energy harvesting strategy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a printable ion-electron conductive ink using a Bi2Te3/PEDOT:PSS matrix and hygroscopic glycerol.
- Integration of bifunctional mobile ions and electrons for synergistic effect utilization.
- Characterization of the generator's output under hygrothermal conditions.
Main Results:
- The generator exhibits an unconventional hygro-thermoelectric output pattern.
- Achieved a significant increase in hygro-thermopower (26.70 mV K⁻¹ positive, -15.71 mV K⁻¹ negative).
- A single generator produced up to 680 mV with volt-sized amplitudes.
Conclusions:
- The developed hygro-thermoelectric generator offers a revolutionary approach to hybrid energy harvesting.
- The technology is cost-efficient, flexible, sustainable, and suitable for large-scale roll-to-roll production.
- Enables cable-free, self-powered systems operating globally without climatic or geographic constraints.
