Progress on Material Design and Device Fabrication via Coupling Photothermal Effect with Thermoelectric Effect

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Low-grade thermal energy recovery is vital for sustainable energy solutions.
• Photothermal materials convert light to heat (e.g., cancer therapy, water purification).
• Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity (e.g., flexible electronics, sensors).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of recent advancements in photothermal, thermoelectric, and coupled photothermoelectric materials.
• To review research progress, applications, and classifications of these materials.
• To discuss future potential applications and challenges in waste heat and solar energy utilization.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of photothermal and thermoelectric materials.
• Classification and analysis of coupled photothermoelectric materials and their applications.
• Discussion of future trends and challenges in the field.

Main Results:

• Photothermal and thermoelectric materials have diverse applications.
• Coupled photothermoelectric materials offer solutions for clean energy and energy harvesting.
• Applications include sensors, thermoelectric batteries, wearable devices, and multi-effect devices.

Conclusions:

• Photothermoelectric materials are promising for waste heat recovery and solar energy utilization.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges and unlock full potential.
• These advancements are significant for sustainable societal development.