In this study, we introduce the fabrication process of a highly efficient fully printed all-carbon Organic Thermoelectric Generator (OTEG) free of metallic junctions, with outstanding flexibility and exceptional power output, which can be conveniently and rapidly prepared through ink dispensing/printing processes of non-toxic and low-cost aqueous CNT inks with a mask-assisted specified circuit architecture. The optimal produced p-type and n-type films exhibit ultrahigh power factors of 308 μW/mK 2 and 258 μW/mK 2 respectively at ΔΤ=150K (THOT=175°C) and outstanding stability in air without encapsulation, providing the OTEG device the ability to operate at high temperatures up to 200°C at ambient conditions (1 atm, relative humidity: 50±5% RH).We have successfully design and fabricate the flexible thermoelectric modules with superior thermoelectric properties of p-type and n-type SWCNT films resulting in exceptionally high performance. The novel-design OTEG exhibits outstanding flexibility and stability with attained TE values among the highest ever reported in the field of organic thermoelectrics, i.e. open-circuit voltage VOC= 1.05 V and short-circuit current ISC= 1.30 mA at ΔT= 150 K (THOT=175°C) with an internal resistance of RTEG= 806 Ω, generating 342 μW power output. It is also worth noting the remarkable power factors of 145 μW/mK 2 and 127 μW/mK 2 for the p-type and n-type films respectively at room temperature. The fabricated device is highly scalable, providing opportunities for printable large-scale manufacturing/industrial production of highly efficient flexible OTEGs.
TOC GRAPHICSGraphical abstract. Schematic illustration of the all-carbon printed and flexible SWCNT-based organic thermoelectric generator
a b s t r a c tWater and energy supply are strongly interrelated and their efficient management is crucial for a sustainable future. Water and energy systems on several Greek islands face a number of pressing issues. Water supply is problematic as regards both to the water quality and quantity. There is significant lack of water on several islands and this is mainly dealt with tanker vessels which transport vast amounts of water from the mainland. At the same time island energy systems are congested and rely predominantly on fossil fuels, despite the abundant renewable energy potential. These issues may be addressed by combining desalination and renewable energy technologies. It is essential to analyse the feasibility of this possibility. This study focuses on developing a tool capable of designing and optimally sizing desalination and renewable energy units. Several parameters regarding an island's water demand and the desalination's energy requirements are taken into account as well as input data which concern technological performance, resource availability and economic data. The tool is applied on three islands in the South Aegean Sea, Patmos (large), Lipsoi (medium) and Thirasia (small). Results of the modelling exercise show that the water selling price ranges from 1.45 V/m 3 for the large island, while the corresponding value is about 2.6 V/m 3 for the small island, figures significantly lower than the current water cost (7 e9 V/m 3 ).
This work reports the design and fabrication of novel printed single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrothermal Joule heating devices. The devices are directly deposited on unidirectional (UD) glass fiber (GF) fabrics. The GF-SWCNT Joule heaters were integrated during manufacturing as "system" plies in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates. Specific secondary functions were imparted on the composite laminate endowing thus a multifunctional character. The efficient out-of-oven curing (OOC) of a CFRP laminate was demonstrated using a sandwich configuration comprising top/bottom GF-SWCNT system plies. A total power consumption of ca. 10.5 kWh for the efficient polymerization of the thermoset matrix was required. Infrared thermography (IR-T) monitoring showed a uniform and stable temperature field before and after impregnation with epoxy resin. Quasi-static three-point bending and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a minor knock-down effect of the OOC−CFRP laminates properties compared to oven cured CFRPs, whereas the glass transition temperature (T g ) was almost identical. The OOC−CFRP laminates were efficient in providing additional functions such as deicing and self-sensing that are highly sought in the energy and transport sectors, i.e., wind turbine blades or aircraft wings. The novel modular design provides unique opportunities for large-area applications via multiple interconnected arrays of printed devices.
This experimental study is associated with the modification of glass fibers with efficient, organic, functional, thermoelectrically enabled coatings. The thermoelectric (TE) behavior of the coated glass fiber tows with either inherent p semiconductor type single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or the n-type molecular doped SWCNTs were examined within epoxy resin matrix in detail. The corresponding morphological, thermogravimetric, spectroscopic, and thermoelectric measurements were assessed in order to characterize the produced functional interphases. For the p-type model composites, the Seebeck coefficient was +16.2 μV/K which corresponds to a power factor of 0.02 μW/m∙K2 and for the n-type −28.4 μV/K which corresponds to power factor of 0.12 μW/m∙K2. The p–n junction between the model composites allowed for the fabrication of a single pair thermoelectric element generator (TEG) demonstrator. Furthermore, the stress transfer at the interphase of the coated glass fibers was studied by tow pull-out tests. The reference glass fiber tows presented the highest interfacial shear stress (IFSS) of 42.8 MPa in comparison to the p- and n-type SWCNT coated GF model composites that exhibited reduced IFSS values by 10.1% and 28.1%, respectively.
The present study demonstrates, for the first time, the ability of a 10-ply glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminate to operate as a structural through-thickness thermoelectric generator. For this purpose, inorganic tellurium nanowires were mixed with single-wall carbon nanotubes in a wet chemical approach, capable of resulting in a flexible p-type thermoelectric material with a power factor value of 58.88 μW/m·K2. This material was used to prepare an aqueous thermoelectric ink, which was then deposited onto a glass fiber substrate via a simple dip-coating process. The coated glass fiber ply was laminated as top lamina with uncoated glass fiber plies underneath to manufacture a thermoelectric composite capable of generating 54.22 nW power output at a through-thickness temperature difference οf 100 K. The mechanical properties of the proposed through-thickness thermoelectric laminate were tested and compared with those of the plain laminates. A minor reduction of approximately 11.5% was displayed in both the flexural modulus and strength after the integration of the thermoelectric ply. Spectroscopic and morphological analyses were also employed to characterize the obtained thermoelectric nanomaterials and the respective coated glass fiber ply.
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