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Shi XL, Zou J, Chen ZG. Advanced Thermoelectric Design: From Materials and Structures to Devices. Chem Rev 2020; 120:7399-7515. [PMID: 32614171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The long-standing popularity of thermoelectric materials has contributed to the creation of various thermoelectric devices and stimulated the development of strategies to improve their thermoelectric performance. In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarize the state-of-the-art strategies for the realization of high-performance thermoelectric materials and devices by establishing the links between synthesis, structural characteristics, properties, underlying chemistry and physics, including structural design (point defects, dislocations, interfaces, inclusions, and pores), multidimensional design (quantum dots/wires, nanoparticles, nanowires, nano- or microbelts, few-layered nanosheets, nano- or microplates, thin films, single crystals, and polycrystalline bulks), and advanced device design (thermoelectric modules, miniature generators and coolers, and flexible thermoelectric generators). The outline of each strategy starts with a concise presentation of their fundamentals and carefully selected examples. In the end, we point out the controversies, challenges, and outlooks toward the future development of thermoelectric materials and devices. Overall, this review will serve to help materials scientists, chemists, and physicists, particularly students and young researchers, in selecting suitable strategies for the improvement of thermoelectrics and potentially other relevant energy conversion technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lei Shi
- Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland 4300, Australia.,School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jin Zou
- School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland 4300, Australia.,School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Wang Y, Yang L, Shi XL, Shi X, Chen L, Dargusch MS, Zou J, Chen ZG. Flexible Thermoelectric Materials and Generators: Challenges and Innovations. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1807916. [PMID: 31148307 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201807916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The urgent need for ecofriendly, stable, long-lifetime power sources is driving the booming market for miniaturized and integrated electronics, including wearable and medical implantable devices. Flexible thermoelectric materials and devices are receiving increasing attention, due to their capability to convert heat into electricity directly by conformably attaching them onto heat sources. Polymer-based flexible thermoelectric materials are particularly fascinating because of their intrinsic flexibility, affordability, and low toxicity. There are other promising alternatives including inorganic-based flexible thermoelectrics that have high energy-conversion efficiency, large power output, and stability at relatively high temperature. Herein, the state-of-the-art in the development of flexible thermoelectric materials and devices is summarized, including exploring the fundamentals behind the performance of flexible thermoelectric materials and devices by relating materials chemistry and physics to properties. By taking insights from carrier and phonon transport, the limitations of high-performance flexible thermoelectric materials and the underlying mechanisms associated with each optimization strategy are highlighted. Finally, the remaining challenges in flexible thermoelectric materials are discussed in conclusion, and suggestions and a framework to guide future development are provided, which may pave the way for a bright future for flexible thermoelectric devices in the energy market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland, 4300, Australia
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Xiao-Lei Shi
- Materials Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Xun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Lidong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Matthew S Dargusch
- Materials Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and, Manufacturing (AMPAM), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Jin Zou
- Materials Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland, 4300, Australia
- Materials Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Wang X, Liu P, Jiang Q, Zhou W, Xu J, Liu J, Jia Y, Duan X, Liu Y, Du Y, Jiang F. Efficient DMSO-Vapor Annealing for Enhancing Thermoelectric Performance of PEDOT:PSS-Based Aerogel. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:2408-2417. [PMID: 30576122 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b19168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Conducting polymer-based composite aerogel film is desired to be used as thermoelectric (TE) materials due to its good flexibility and ultralow thermal conductivity. Here, we proposed the simple freeze drying method to fabricate free-standing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-based aerogel films without any crosslinker addition. The evolutions of morphology and TE performance were systemically investigated with various organic solvent addition. Furthermore, a series of the PEDOT:PSS/tellurium nanowires (Te-NWs) composite aerogel films was prepared, and the relationship between the structure and the charge-transport mechanism of the binary complex system was explored based on series and parallel models. Finally, an efficient dimethyl sulfoxide-vapor annealing was employed to further optimize the TE performance of PEDOT:PSS/Te-NWs composite aerogel films. The ZT value was estimated to be 2.0 × 10-2 at room temperature. On the basis of the flexibility and highly enhanced TE performance, a prototype TE generator consisting of p-type PEDOT:PSS/Te-NWs aerogel films and n-type carbon nanotube fibers as legs has been fabricated with an acceptable output power of 1.28 μW at a temperature gradient of 60 K, which could be potentially applied in wearable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an 710054 , China
| | - Peipei Liu
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Qinglin Jiang
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Weiqiang Zhou
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Jingkun Xu
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Qingdao University of Science and Technology , Qingdao 266042 , Shandong , China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Yanhua Jia
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Xuemin Duan
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
| | - Youfa Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science , Soochow University , Suzhou 215123 , China
| | - Yukou Du
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science , Soochow University , Suzhou 215123 , China
| | - Fengxing Jiang
- Department of Physics , Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University , Nanchang 330013 , China
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , Qingdao University of Science and Technology , Qingdao 266042 , Shandong , China
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Carbon Nanotube-Based Organic Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:polym10111196. [PMID: 30961121 PMCID: PMC6290613 DOI: 10.3390/polym10111196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention in developing high-performance, low-cost, flexible thermoelectric (TE) materials because of their great electrical and mechanical properties. Theory predicts that one-dimensional semiconductors have natural advantages in TE fields. During the past few decades, remarkable progress has been achieved in both theory and experiments. What is more important is that CNTs have shown desirable features for either n-type or p-type TE properties through specific strategies. Up to now, CNT‒polymer hybrids have held the record for TE performance in organic materials, which means they can potentially be used in high-performance TE applications and flexible electronic devices. In this review, we intend to focus on the intrinsic TE properties of both n-type and p-type CNTs and effective TE enhanced strategies. Furthermore, the current trends for developing CNT-based and CNT‒polymer-based high TE performance organic materials are discussed, followed by an overview of the relevant electronic structure‒TE property relationship. Finally, models for evaluating the TE properties are provided and a few representative samples of CNT‒polymer composites with high TE performance are highlighted.
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Wang X, Zhang X, Sun L, Lee D, Lee S, Wang M, Zhao J, Shao-Horn Y, Dincă M, Palacios T, Gleason KK. High electrical conductivity and carrier mobility in oCVD PEDOT thin films by engineered crystallization and acid treatment. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat5780. [PMID: 30225366 PMCID: PMC6140612 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat5780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Air-stable, lightweight, and electrically conductive polymers are highly desired as the electrodes for next-generation electronic devices. However, the low electrical conductivity and low carrier mobility of polymers are the key bottlenecks that limit their adoption. We demonstrate that the key to addressing these limitations is to molecularly engineer the crystallization and morphology of polymers. We use oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) and hydrobromic acid treatment as an effective tool to achieve such engineering for conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). We demonstrate PEDOT thin films with a record-high electrical conductivity of 6259 S/cm and a remarkably high carrier mobility of 18.45 cm2 V-1 s-1 by inducing a crystallite-configuration transition using oCVD. Subsequent theoretical modeling reveals a metallic nature and an effective reduction of the carrier transport energy barrier between crystallized domains in these thin films. To validate this metallic nature, we successfully fabricate PEDOT-Si Schottky diode arrays operating at 13.56 MHz for radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, demonstrating wafer-scale fabrication compatible with conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The oCVD PEDOT thin films with ultrahigh electrical conductivity and high carrier mobility show great promise for novel high-speed organic electronics with low energy consumption and better charge carrier transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dongwook Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sunghwan Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yang Shao-Horn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mircea Dincă
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tomás Palacios
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karen K. Gleason
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Ding G, Wang C, Gao G, Yao K, Dun C, Feng C, Li D, Zhang G. Engineering of charge carriers via a two-dimensional heterostructure to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:7077-7084. [PMID: 29616246 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr09029c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
High band degeneracy and glassy phonon transport are two remarkable features of highly efficient thermoelectric (TE) materials. The former promotes the power factor, while the latter aims to break the lower limit of lattice thermal conductivity through phonon scattering. Herein, we use the unique possibility offered by a two-dimensional superlattice-monolayer structure (SLM) to engineer the band degeneracy, charge density and phonon spectrum to maximize the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). First-principles calculations with Boltzmann transport equations reveal that the conduction bands of ZrSe2/HfSe2 SLM possess a highly degenerate level which gives a high n-type power factor; at the same time, the stair-like density of states yields a high Seebeck coefficient. These characteristics are absent in the individual monolayers. In addition, the SLM shows a suppressed lattice thermal conductivity along the superlattice period as phonons are effectively scattered by the interfaces. An intrinsic ZT of 5.3 (300 K) is achieved in n-type SLM, and it is 3.2 in the p-type counterpart. Compared with the theoretical predictions calculated with the same level of accuracy, these values are at least four-fold higher than those in the two parent materials, monolayer ZrSe2 and HfSe2. Our results provide a new strategy for the maximum thermoelectric performance, and clearly demonstrate the advantage of two-dimensional material heterostructures in the application of renewable energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangqian Ding
- School of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China.
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