Harness High-Temperature Thermal Energy via Elastic Thermoelectric Aerogels

doi:10.1007/s40820-024-01370-z

Abstract

Abstract:

Despite notable progress in thermoelectric (TE) materials and devices, developing TE aerogels with high-temperature resistance, superior TE performance and excellent elasticity to enable self-powered high-temperature monitoring/warning in industrial and wearable applications remains a great challenge. Herein, a highly elastic, flame-retardant and high-temperature-resistant TE aerogel, made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/single-walled carbon nanotube (PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT) composites, has been fabricated, displaying attractive compression-induced power factor enhancement. The as-fabricated sensors with the aerogel can achieve accurately pressure stimuli detection and wide temperature range monitoring. Subsequently, a flexible TE generator is assembled, consisting of 25 aerogels connected in series, capable of delivering a maximum output power of 400 μW when subjected to a temperature difference of 300 K. This demonstrates its outstanding high-temperature heat harvesting capability and promising application prospects for real-time temperature monitoring on industrial high-temperature pipelines. Moreover, the designed self-powered wearable sensing glove can realize precise wide-range temperature detection, high-temperature warning and accurate recognition of human hand gestures. The aerogel-based intelligent wearable sensing system developed for firefighters demonstrates the desired self-powered and highly sensitive high-temperature fire warning capability. Benefitting from these desirable properties, the elastic and high-temperature-resistant aerogels present various promising applications including self-powered high-temperature monitoring, industrial overheat warning, waste heat energy recycling and even wearable healthcare.

Key words: Thermoelectrics, Aerogel, Self-powered, High-temperature monitoring, High-temperature warning

Hongxiong Li, Zhaofu Ding, Quan Zhou, Jun Chen, Zhuoxin Liu, Chunyu Du, Lirong Liang, Guangming Chen. Harness High-Temperature Thermal Energy via Elastic Thermoelectric Aerogels[J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 151-.

Hongxiong Li, Zhaofu Ding, Quan Zhou, Jun Chen, Zhuoxin Liu, Chunyu Du, Lirong Liang, Guangming Chen. [J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 151-.

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URL: https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/10.1007/s40820-024-01370-z

https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/Y2024/V16/I1/151

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Aerogel preparation and mechanical properties evaluation. a Schematic illustration of the preparation process of the elastic PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT composite aerogel. b Chemical structures of PEDOT:PSS, NFC and GOPS. c Pore size diameter distribution of aerogel based on mercury injection measurement. Inset of Fig. shows the SEM image of the aerogel. d The digital images depict the states of the aerogel: before (left), during (middle), and after (right) finger pressing. e Compressive stress-strain curves of TE aerogel at different compressive stains

Fig. 2 Microstructure and TE properties of the aerogels. a-c SEM images of TE composite aerogel under different compression strains ((a) ε = 20%, (b) ε = 40%, (c) ε = 60%). d The TE properties variations when subjected to compression strain (0-80%). e The variation in TE properties for the aerogel after multiple compression cycles with 60% strain. f Raman spectra of the pure SWCNT, PEDOT:PSS and the composite aerogel

Fig. 3 An aerogel-based temperature and pressure dual-mode sensor. a Real-time relative resistance change (ΔR/R₀) response of the aerogel subjected to various compression strains. b The ΔR/R₀ of the aerogel as a function of strain. c The durability test under cyclic loading of 60% strain. d Real-time voltage responses of the aerogel at different ΔT. e Real-time voltage response of the aerogel under alternating and opposite temperature differences (ΔT = ± 25 K). f The generated voltage as a function of ΔT, where the inset shows the real-time voltage response to the applied ΔT

Fig. 4 An aerogel-based TE generator. a Illustration showing the TE generator consisting of 25 aerogels in series. b Open-circuit voltages generated by the aerogel-based TE generator under different ΔT. c The relationship between the generated output voltage as a function of circuit current at different ΔT. Output power of TE generator as a function of d circuit current and e external load resistance under different ΔT. f The power density of the TE generator at different ΔT. g The comparison of the highest testing temperatures for most TE aerogels and their generators reported in the literature. h Photographs showing the generated voltage or powering a LED by harvesting alcohol lamp flame heat energy. i Illustration showing the high-temperature application scenario of the aerogel-based TE generator by utilizing heat energy on industrial hot pipes

Fig. 5 Aerogel-based integrated sensor array and its applications. a Photograph showing the flexible self-powered sensing glove and illustration of the glove connection mode. b Photograph showing the hand gesture of spread and the corresponding voltage distribution maps at fourteen knuckles on the wearable TE sensing glove. c Photograph showing the hand pressing on a tabletop and the corresponding voltage distribution maps. d, e The characteristic voltage signals at knuckle 2 and knuckle 3 when different gestures or various objects are touched. f Illustration of the fingers pointing at an unheated or heated plate, and the characteristic voltage map at knuckle 2 and knuckle 3. Photographs showing the hand griping a beaker containing g ice water, h warm water, or i hot water, and the corresponding map of voltage signals at the fourteen knuckles. j Photograph showing the hand approaching the flame of an alcohol lamp and the corresponding voltage distribution maps. k Illustration showing the self-powered application scenario of the composite TE aerogels for blind people or robots high-temperature alarm/detection

Fig. 6 Aerogel-based self-powered fire warning system. a Flame retardancy property of the aerogel. b Fire warning test for aerogel when exposed to the flame of alcohol lamp. c Schematic showing the aerogel-based self-powered wearable fire warning system that provides high-temperature warning to firefighters. d Voltage curve of aerogel-based self-powered wearable device in three cyclic fire warning tests

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