Article
|
Open Access
Featured
-
-
Article
| Open Access
Synergistically optimized electron and phonon transport in high-performance copper sulfides thermoelectric materials via one-pot modulation
It is hard to simultaneously improve electrical and thermal properties of materials due to the strong coupling of carrier and phonon transport. Here, the authors propose a one-pot modulation strategy for simultaneously adjusting carrier and phonon transport in copper sulfids.
- Yi-Xin Zhang
- , Qin-Yuan Huang
- & Zhen-Hua Ge
-
Article
| Open Access
Vacancies tailoring lattice anharmonicity of Zintl-type thermoelectrics
Vacancies are traditionally considered to play a role of phonon-defect scattering. Here, the authors show that vacancies can induce phonon softening, enhance phonon anharmonicity, and cause a dramatic reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity.
- Jinfeng Zhu
- , Qingyong Ren
- & Jie Ma
-
Article
| Open Access
Flexible temperature-pressure dual sensor based on 3D spiral thermoelectric Bi2Te3 films
A three-dimensional spiral architecture is used to exploit both thermoelectric and piezoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 films to make a combined temperature and pressure sensor in a single material, with applications such as electronic skin.
- Hailong Yu
- , Zhenqing Hu
- & Kaiping Tai
-
Article
| Open Access
High figure-of-merit for ZnO nanostructures by interfacing lowly-oxidized graphene quantum dots
It is crucial to design ZnO with uniform nanoscale features to reduce thermal conductivity while maintaining electrical conduction pathways. Authors realize a high figure-of-merit value of 0.486 at 580 K by interfacing graphene quantum dots with three-dimensional nanostructured ZnO.
- Myungwoo Choi
- , Juyoung An
- & Seokwoo Jeon
-
Article
| Open Access
Fully inkjet-printed Ag2Se flexible thermoelectric devices for sustainable power generation
Ag2Se-based flexible thermoelectric devices are fabricated by inkjet printing technology, which demonstrate exceptional power generation performance owing to unique patterning capability and high-resolution device integration.
- Yan Liu
- , Qihao Zhang
- & Wan Jiang
-
Article
| Open Access
CALPHAD accelerated design of advanced full-Zintl thermoelectric device
Based on the CALPHAD method, authors propose an effective screening strategy for thermoelectric contact materials, realizing a high efficiency of ~11% (at ∆T = 430 K) for the full-Zintl phase thermoelectric device.
- Li Yin
- , Xiaofang Li
- & Qian Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
High-performance cryo-temperature ionic thermoelectric liquid cell developed through a eutectic solvent strategy
The authors make an ionic thermoelectric cell with a eutectic solvent of formamide that can operate at temperatures as low as −35 °C by applying hydrophilic and gold coated treatments to the electrode and introducing a thermal separator.
- Shuaihua Wang
- , Yuchen Li
- & Weishu Liu
-
Article
| Open Access
Flexible power generators by Ag2Se thin films with record-high thermoelectric performance
Flexible Ag2Se possesses promising near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance, while trade-off in thermoelectric performance and flexibility enhances its practical utility. Here, the authors fabricate polycrystalline Ag2Se-based thin film with a high ZT of 1.27 at 363 K by Te doping.
- Dong Yang
- , Xiao-Lei Shi
- & Zhi-Gang Chen
-
Article
| Open Access
Modeling critical thermoelectric transports driven by band broadening and phonon softening
The authors develop a quantitative theory to model and tune the electrical transports during critical phase transitions by incorporating both the band broadening effect and carrier-soft TO phonon interactions.
- Kunpeng Zhao
- , Zhongmou Yue
- & Xun Shi
-
Article
| Open Access
Anomalous enhancement of thermoelectric power factor in multiple two-dimensional electron gas system
Thermoelectric power factor in multiple two-dimensional electron gas in GaAs is enhanced by the effect of multiple subbands. The enhancement rate is 4 times larger than that of conventional two-dimensional electron gas system.
- Yuto Uematsu
- , Takafumi Ishibe
- & Yoshiaki Nakamura
-
Article
| Open Access
Modulation of the morphotropic phase boundary for high-performance ductile thermoelectric materials
Power factor and figure-of-merit values are normally low in flexible thermoelectric materials. Here, the authors fabricate high-performance ductile thermoelectric materials with high power factor and figure-of-merit values near the morphotropic phase boundary in Ag2Se-Ag2S pseudobinary compound.
- Jiasheng Liang
- , Jin Liu
- & Xun Shi
-
Article
| Open Access
Performance boost for bismuth telluride thermoelectric generator via barrier layer based on low Young’s modulus and particle sliding
The lack of desirable barrier layers prohibits the power generation applications of bismuth telluride thermoelectric devices. Here, the authors construct a kind of Ti barrier layer with high strength and low resistivity with a module exhibiting high thermal stability during the service at 523 K.
- Yuxin Sun
- , Fengkai Guo
- & Jiehe Sui
-
Article
| Open Access
Ultraflexible, cost-effective and scalable polymer-based phase change composites via chemical cross-linking for wearable thermal management
Jing et al. report a cost-effective chemical cross-linking method for synthesizing ultraflexible polymer-based phase change composites with 3D crosslinked networks and further demonstrate portable applications for wearable thermal management.
- Yaoge Jing
- , Zhengchuang Zhao
- & Tingxian Li
-
Article
| Open Access
Enabling giant thermopower by heterostructure engineering of hydrated vanadium pentoxide for zinc ion thermal charging cells
The application of zinc ion thermal charging cells has been limited by their low kinetics and rapid energy decay. Here, the authors develop a promising material by heterostructure engineering of hydrated vanadium pentoxide for high-performance harvesting and conversion of low-grade heat.
- Zhiwei Li
- , Yinghong Xu
- & Xiaogang Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Direct observation of hot-electron-enhanced thermoelectric effects in silicon nanodevices
Thermoelectric property of silicon itself is important for the thermal management of post-Moore nanoelectronics. Here, Xue et al directly observe unconventional thermoelectric cooling/heating effects enhanced by hot electrons in silicon nanodevices.
- Huanyi Xue
- , Ruijie Qian
- & Wei Lu
-
Article
| Open Access
Half-Heusler alloys as emerging high power density thermoelectric cooling materials
Here, the authors increase the grain size of Nb0.55Ta0.4Ti0.05FeSb by three orders of magnitude by Sb-pressure controlled annealing, resulting in enhanced mobility and cooling power density compared to Bi2Te3-based devices.
- Hangtian Zhu
- , Wenjie Li
- & Bed Poudel
-
Article
| Open Access
Scalable-produced 3D elastic thermoelectric network for body heat harvesting
Flexible thermoelectric generators can use body heat to power electronic wearables but are often limited by a trade-off between flexibility and output performance. Here, authors demonstrate a scalable, lightweight, elastic, and high-performing network-based Ag2Se thermoelectric generator.
- Yijie Liu
- , Xiaodong Wang
- & Feng Cao
-
Article
| Open Access
Compositing effects for high thermoelectric performance of Cu2Se-based materials
Here, the authors devise a synthesis strategy to optimize the stability and thermoelectric performance of Cu2Se-based materials. They obtain a maximum ZT value of ~2.82 at 1000 K on Cu2Se-BiCuSeO-graphene composites.
- Zhifang Zhou
- , Yi Huang
- & Yuan-Hua Lin
-
Article
| Open Access
Three dimensional architected thermoelectric devices with high toughness and power conversion efficiency
The potential of thermoelectric devices is typically hindered by heat stagnation and poor mechanical strength, which degrade their performance. Here, the authors demonstrate larger temperature gradients and higher mechanical strength by developing 3D core-shell architected thermoelectric devices.
- Vaithinathan Karthikeyan
- , James Utama Surjadi
- & Vellaisamy A. L. Roy
-
Article
| Open Access
High thermoelectric efficiency realized in SnSe crystals via structural modulation
Thermoelectric technology directly enables both power generation and electronic cooling. Here, the authors realize high-performance SnSe crystals with promising device efficiencies by modulating crystal and band structures.
- Bingchao Qin
- , Dongyang Wang
- & Li-Dong Zhao
-
Article
| Open Access
Reversible bipolar thermopower of ionic thermoelectric polymer composite for cyclic energy generation
Generating continuous power by ionic thermoelectric material modules remains challenging. Here, the authors find the ionic thermoelectric material exhibiting bipolar thermopower property by manipulating the interactions between ions and electrodes.
- Cheng Chi
- , Gongze Liu
- & Xing Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator
Unsatisfied electrode bonding in half-Heusler devices limits their practical service at high temperatures. Here, the authors develop a direct bonding interface to ideal ohmic contact and thermally inert and ohmic contact, leading to high deficiency.
- Ruiheng Liu
- , Yunfei Xing
- & Shengqiang Bai
-
Article
| Open Access
Colossal Nernst power factor in topological semimetal NbSb2
Today solid-state cooling technologies below 77 K are greatly limited. Here, the authors report the colossal Nernst power factor in NbSb2 single crystal, providing a high performance thermomagnetic material for solid-state cooling at low temperature.
- Peng Li
- , Pengfei Qiu
- & Xun Shi
-
Article
| Open Access
A universal all-solid synthesis for high throughput production of halide perovskite
Conventional wet chemistry method represents an inefficient way for bulk crystal synthesis. Here, the authors report a universal approach using electrical and mechanical field-assisted sintering technique to generate halide perovskites from solid precursors into large bulk crystal within minutes.
- Luyao Zheng
- , Amin Nozariasbmarz
- & Kai Wang
-
Article
| Open Access
Simultaneous atmospheric water production and 24-hour power generation enabled by moisture-induced energy harvesting
Collecting water directly from air provides one sustainable solution to water scarcity. Li et al. combine sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting with a thermoelectric module for efficient harvesting water and electricity in arid environments and show that the two components operate synergistically.
- Tingxian Li
- , Minqiang Wu
- & Siqi Wang
-
Article
| Open Access
Tunable quantum gaps to decouple carrier and phonon transport leading to high-performance thermoelectrics
Defects are believed to always scatter carriers. Here, the authors find that the quantum gaps in GeTe-based materials do not scatter carriers, which decouple the carriers and phonons transport leading to high thermoelectric performance.
- Yong Yu
- , Xiao Xu
- & Jiaqing He
-
Article
| Open Access
Multiple valence bands convergence and strong phonon scattering lead to high thermoelectric performance in p-type PbSe
Power generation from heat to electricity can be realized by thermoelectric materials. Here, the authors improve the thermoelectric properties in PbSe enabled by multiple bands convergence and strong phonon scattering.
- Yingcai Zhu
- , Dongyang Wang
- & Li-Dong Zhao
-
Article
| Open Access
Ultrahigh transverse thermoelectric power factor in flexible Weyl semimetal WTe2
Flexible thermoelectrics are of great interest with increasing demand of flexible and wearable electronics. Here, the authors demonstrate that the Weyl semimetal, WTe2, has a high Nernst power factor and great mechanical flexibility.
- Yu Pan
- , Bin He
- & Claudia Felser
-
Article
| Open Access
Heat-fueled enzymatic cascade for selective oxyfunctionalization of hydrocarbons
Thermoelectric materials enable us to convert heat into electricity, but their application has been limited to high-temperature heat sources. Here, the authors show the direct conversion of low-grade waste heat into chemical energy via combining thermoelectric materials with biocatalysts below 100 °C.
- Jaeho Yoon
- , Hanhwi Jang
- & Chan Beum Park
-
Article
| Open Access
Anderson transition in stoichiometric Fe2VAl: high thermoelectric performance from impurity bands
The mathematical conditions for the best thermoelectric is well known but never realised in real materials. Here, the authors propose the Anderson transition in a narrow impurity band as a physical realisation of this seemingly unrealisable scenario.
- Fabian Garmroudi
- , Michael Parzer
- & Ernst Bauer
-
Article
| Open Access
Bicyclic-ring base doping induces n-type conduction in carbon nanotubes with outstanding thermal stability in air
The preparation of stable n-type carbon nanotubes is desirable for their potential applications in molecular electronics. Here, the authors report that doping with bicyclic-ring organic superbases enables the synthesis of n-type carbon nanotubes with excellent thermal stability in air.
- Shohei Horike
- , Qingshuo Wei
- & Kenji Ishida
-
Article
| Open Access
Maximizing the performance of n-type Mg3Bi2 based materials for room-temperature power generation and thermoelectric cooling
The awaited studies of new and efficient thermoelectric modules have not come to fruition yet. Here, the authors demonstrate a high thermoelectric performance of non-Bi2Te3 module for room-temperature power generation and thermoelectric cooling.
- Zihang Liu
- , Weihong Gao
- & Takao Mori
-
Article
| Open Access
Selectively tuning ionic thermopower in all-solid-state flexible polymer composites for thermal sensing
Though high ionic thermopower and p-n conversion has been realized in liquid ionic thermoelectric materials, achieving similar performance in solid-state polymer materials remains a challenge. Here, the authors report all-solid-state thermoelectric polymer composites with tunable ionic thermopower.
- Cheng Chi
- , Meng An
- & Xing Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
A record thermoelectric efficiency in tellurium-free modules for low-grade waste heat recovery
Thermoelectric materials for low-grade heat recovery applications are limited to Bi2Te3-based alloys containing expensive Te for decades. Here, the authors demonstrate on a module level, cheap antimonides could enable an efficiency not inferior to that of expensive tellurides.
- Zhonglin Bu
- , Xinyue Zhang
- & Yanzhong Pei
-
Article
| Open Access
Half-Heusler-like compounds with wide continuous compositions and tunable p- to n-type semiconducting thermoelectrics
Half-and full-Heusler compounds are considered as independent phases with a natural composition gap. Here the authors report the discovery of half-Heusler-like TiRu1+xSb with wide continuous compositions falling in the gap region and tunable p-to n-type semiconducting thermoelectrics.
- Zirui Dong
- , Jun Luo
- & Wenqing Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Homo-composition and hetero-structure nanocomposite Pnma Bi2SeS2 - Pnnm Bi2SeS2 with high thermoelectric performance
Most of the thermoelectric nanocomposites have structure character of a hetero-composition and hetero-structure, or hetero-composition and homo-structure between matrix phase and dispersion phase. This work shows a quasi homo-composition and hetero-structure (hoC-heS) nanocomposite consisting of Pnma Bi2SeS2 - Pnnm Bi2SeS2 with high ZT.
- Bushra Jabar
- , Fu Li
- & Weishu Liu
-
Article
| Open Access
Operando magnetic resonance imaging for mapping of temperature and redox species in thermo-electrochemical cells
Devices able to harvest heat to generate electricity are intensively studied for sustainable energy production. Here, the authors investigate the mechanism of thermo-electrochemical cells via operando magnetic resonance imaging.
- Isuru E. Gunathilaka
- , Jennifer M. Pringle
- & Luke A. O’Dell
-
Article
| Open Access
Fast ion transport for synthesis and stabilization of β-Zn4Sb3
β-Zn4Sb3 has promising thermoelectric performance, but its ionic migration properties make it prone to degradation. Here the authors exploit the ion migration in an electric field-assisted synthesis method, fast producing β-Zn4Sb3 with improved phase stability and extended temperature range for the thermoelectric operation.
- Dongwang Yang
- , Xianli Su
- & Xinfeng Tang
-
Article
| Open Access
Colossal thermo-hydro-electrochemical voltage generation for self-sustainable operation of electronics
Thermoelectrics are suited to converting dissipated heat into electricity for operating electronics but limited by the small voltage from the Seebeck effect. Here, the authors report a thermo-hydro-electrochemical hybrid device with −87 mV K−1.
- Yufan Zhang
- , Ahrum Sohn
- & Choongho Yu
-
Article
| Open Access
Macroscopic weavable fibers of carbon nanotubes with giant thermoelectric power factor
Preserving the large power factor of carbon nanotubes is challenging, due to poor sample morphology and a lack of proper Fermi energy tuning. Here, the authors achieve a value of power factor of 14 ± 5 mW m−1 K−2 originating from the preserved conductivity and the ability to tune Fermi energy.
- Natsumi Komatsu
- , Yota Ichinose
- & Junichiro Kono
-
Article
| Open Access
High thermoelectric figure of merit of porous Si nanowires from 300 to 700 K
Performance of Si nanowires as thermoelectrics are evaluated only from cryogenic to ambient temperatures and ZT has remained low. Here, the authors systematically optimized the synthesis method and improved the suspended microdevice platform to achieve high-performance thermoelectrics up to 700 K.
- Lin Yang
- , Daihong Huh
- & Ravi S. Prasher
-
Article
| Open Access
Leveraging bipolar effect to enhance transverse thermoelectricity in semimetal Mg2Pb for cryogenic heat pumping
Heat pumping is in high demand at cryogenic temperature, but whether thermoelectricity can take on cryogenic heat pumping is an open question. Here, the authors answer this question by leveraging bipolar effect to enhance transverse thermoelectricity in semimetal Mg2Pb for cryogenic heat pumping.
- Zhiwei Chen
- , Xinyue Zhang
- & Yanzhong Pei
-
Article
| Open Access
Cu2Se-based thermoelectric cellular architectures for efficient and durable power generation
The geometrical design of thermoelectric legs in modules is key for sustainable power generation but can be hardly achieved by traditional fabrication process. Here, the authors develop an extrusion-based 3D printing process of Cu2Se thermoelectric materials for efficient power generation.
- Seungjun Choo
- , Faizan Ejaz
- & Jae Sung Son
-
Article
| Open Access
When band convergence is not beneficial for thermoelectrics
Band convergence is a strategy to enhance a material’s thermoelectric performance, as it increases the charge carrier concentration for a given Fermi level. Here, the authors find that the benefit of band convergence can be negated by interband scattering depending on the manner in which bands converge.
- Junsoo Park
- , Maxwell Dylla
- & Anubhav Jain
-
Article
| Open Access
Entropy engineering promotes thermoelectric performance in p-type chalcogenides
The synergism of entropy engineering and the typical optimization mechanisms in high-entropy-stabilized chalcogenide is unknown. Here, the authors find high-entropy-stabilized composition works as a promising matrix of applying synergistic effect to realize high thermoelectric performance.
- Binbin Jiang
- , Yong Yu
- & Jiaqing He
-
Article
| Open Access
Towards tellurium-free thermoelectric modules for power generation from low-grade heat
Though earth abundant magnesium-based materials are attractive for thermoelectrics (TEs) due to their device-level performance, realizing efficient modules remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a scalable route to realizing Mg-based compounds for high performance TE modules.
- Pingjun Ying
- , Ran He
- & Gabi Schierning
-
Article
| Open Access
Integration of daytime radiative cooling and solar heating for year-round energy saving in buildings
Future zero-energy buildings require smart and dynamic utilization of renewable energy for efficient indoor temperature control. Here the authors show that the dual-mode device enables building envelopes to switch between solar heating and radiative cooling to save HVAC energy for all seasons and all climate zones.
- Xiuqiang Li
- , Bowen Sun
- & Po-Chun Hsu
-
Article
| Open Access
Scalable thermoelectric fibers for multifunctional textile-electronics
Despite the potential of incorporating thermoelectric (TE) fibers into textile electronics for green energy harvesting, existing fabrication methods are not commercially viable. Here, the authors report a scalable gelation extrusion fabrication strategy for realizing alternating p/n-type TE fibers.
- Tianpeng Ding
- , Kwok Hoe Chan
- & Ghim Wei Ho
-
Article
| Open Access
High-performance compliant thermoelectric generators with magnetically self-assembled soft heat conductors for self-powered wearable electronics
Though flexible thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are attractive for energy harvesting applications, existing devices show low efficiency due to heat loss and poor thermal contact. Here, the authors report high-performance conformable TEGs with stretchable interconnects and soft heat conductors.
- Byeongmoon Lee
- , Hyeon Cho
- & Seungjun Chung
Pushing thermal conductivity to its lower limit in crystals with simple structures