Harvesting low-grade heat by an ionic hydrogel thermoelectric
generator
(ITEG) into useful electricity is promising to power flexible electronics.
However, the poor environmental tolerance of the ionic hydrogel limits
its application. Herein, we demonstrate an ITEG with high thermoelectric
properties, as well as excellent capabilities of water retention,
freezing resistance, and self-regeneration. The obtained ITEG can
maintain the original water content at ambient conditions (302 K,
65% relative humidity (RH)) for 7 days and keep unfreezing at a low
temperature (253 K). It can even be self-regenerated and recovered
to its original state after a water loss in high-temperature conditions.
Furthermore, a high ionic Seebeck coefficient of 11.3 mV K–1 and an impressive power density of 167.90 mW m–2 are achieved under a temperature difference of 20 K. A high power
density of 60.00 mW m–2 can also be maintained even
at 258 K. After drying and regeneration, ITEG-re could even exhibit
a higher ionic Seebeck coefficient of 11.8 mV K–1. Successful lighting of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and charging
of capacitors demonstrate the great potential of ITEG to provide continuous
energy supply for powering flexible electronics.
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