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 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.
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
study demonstrates for the first time a structural glass fiber-reinforced
polymer (GFRP) composite laminate with efficient thermal energy harvesting
properties as a thermoelectric generator (TEG). This TEG laminate
was fabricated by stacking unidirectional glass fiber (GF) laminae
coated with p- and n-type single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) inks
via a blade coating technique. According to their thermoelectric (TE)
response, the p- and n-type GF-SWCNT fabrics exhibited Seebeck coefficients
of +23 and −29 μV/K with 60 and 118 μW/m·K2 power factor values, respectively. The in-series p–n
interconnection of the TE-enabled GF-SWCNT fabrics and their subsequent
impregnation with epoxy resin effectively generated an electrical
power output of 2.2 μW directly from a 16-ply GFRP TEG laminate
exposed to a temperature difference (ΔT) of
100 K. Both experimental and modeling work validated the TE performance.
The structural integrity of the multifunctional GFRP was tested by
three-point bending coupled with online monitoring of the steady-state
TE current (I
sc) at a ΔΤ of 80 K. I
sc was found to closely follow
all transitions and discontinuities related to structural damage in
the stress/strain curve, thus showing its potential to serve the functions
of power generation and damage monitoring.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.