Thermally-induced self-charging of electrochemical capacitors is a recently reported phenomenon, whereby a change in the temperature of a supercapacitor can lead to the generation of a voltage difference across the device. The temperature change is induced for all the device or only some of its components, unaided by or in combination with other voltage-inducing effects. This phenomenon is based on old and known physical concepts, whose use for energy generation became possible due to the advent of nanomaterials. The purpose of this article is to present the research conducted on this phenomenon, and offer a prospective direction for further progress in the field. First, we briefly introduce the existing heat-to-electricity conversion technologies, and their underlying principles. Then, we examine the main thermally-induced phenomena occurring in the environment of an ionic electrolyte, and/or a solid–liquid interface. After that, we review the studies conducted on thermally-induced self-charging in electrochemical capacitors, and the performance factors investigated so far. Finally, we present the future prospects of this field in the form of questions to address, additional factors to inspect, and materials of potential benefit for the design of thermally-chargeable supercapacitors.

中文翻译：

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超级电容器的热充电：一个角度

电化学电容器的热诱导自充电是最近报道的现象，由此超级电容器的温度变化会导致装置两端产生电压差。所有设备或仅部分组件的温度变化都受到其他电压感应效应的影响或与其他电压感应效应相结合而引起。这种现象是基于古老的已知物理概念，由于纳米材料的出现，其在能量产生中的应用成为可能。本文的目的是介绍对这种现象进行的研究，并为该领域的进一步发展提供展望。首先，我们简要介绍现有的热电转换技术及其基本原理。然后，我们研究了在离子电解质和/或固液界面中发生的主要热诱导现象。之后，我们回顾了对电化学电容器中的热感应自充电进行的研究，并研究了迄今为止的性能因素。最后，我们以要解决的问题，要检查的其他因素以及对可热充电式超级电容器的设计有潜在益处的材料的形式，介绍了该领域的未来前景。