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Highly Flexible and Foldable Paper-Based Thermoelectric Generator Prepared with Post-Treatment-Free PEDOT:PSS Hybrid
Guixiang Chen1, Zhenhang He1, Zhen Liu1
1Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
Polymers
|November 14, 2023
Summary
This study presents a novel paper-based thermoelectric generator using a special ink. The device demonstrates improved power generation and mechanical stability, offering potential for wearable electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Harvesting
Background:
- Paper-based thermoelectric (PTE) generators are a sustainable technology addressing environmental pollution and energy demands.
- Developing efficient and stable PTE devices is crucial for practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a high-performance, post-treatment-free PTE generator using a novel thermoelectric ink.
- To investigate the effect of doping concentration and hot-pressing on PTE device performance and stability.
Main Methods:
- A thermoelectric ink composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) doped with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium:tricyanomethanide (EMIM:TCM) was developed.
- The ink was coated onto card paper, and the resulting PTE generator was optimized by tuning EMIM:TCM concentration and applying hot-pressing.
- Device performance was evaluated by measuring the power factor (PF), and mechanical stability was assessed through cyclic folding tests.
Main Results:
- The optimized PTE generator achieved a power factor (PF) of 6.82 μW m-1 K-2, surpassing previously reported values for similar devices.
- Hot-pressing enhanced cellulose fiber packing density and PEDOT:PSS hybridization, facilitating long-range conductive pathways and improved PF.
- The PTE generator exhibited excellent mechanical stability, maintaining its performance after 10,000 folding cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed PTE generator offers a promising green technology for energy harvesting.
- The combination of high-performance thermoelectric ink and hot-pressing is effective in enhancing device efficiency.
- The easily tunable structure and good mechanical stability make these PTE generators suitable for flexible wearable thermoelectric applications.
