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Asymmetric Thermoelectrochemical Cell for Harvesting Low-grade Heat under Isothermal Operation
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High-Performance Cu-Based Liquid Thermocells Enabled by Thermosensitive Crystallization and Etched Carbon Cloth
Wei Fang1, Zeping Ou1, Yifan Wang1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.
Nano-Micro Letters
|January 4, 2026
Summary
This study enhances thermocell performance using a copper (I/II) redox couple and etched electrodes. The optimized system achieves high thermopower and power density for efficient low-grade heat harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Thermocells offer promising low-grade heat harvesting but are limited by redox couple performance.
- High thermopower and rapid kinetics are crucial for efficient thermoelectric conversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance thermocell performance using a copper (I/II) redox couple.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of thermosensitive crystallization and etched electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Developed a copper (I/II) redox couple for thermocell applications.
- Integrated a thermosensitive crystallization process with etched carbon cloth electrodes.
- Evaluated thermodynamic and kinetic performance enhancements.
Main Results:
- Achieved a boosted thermopower from 1.47 to 2.93 mV K⁻¹ due to a Cu²⁺ concentration gradient.
- Demonstrated higher current density with etched carbon cloth electrodes.
- Obtained a normalized power density of 3.97 mW m⁻² K⁻².
Conclusions:
- The optimized Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ system shows significant potential for high-performance thermocells.
- Thermosensitive crystallization and etched electrodes synergistically improve thermocell efficiency.
- Successfully powered electronic devices using a 20-cell thermocell module.
