Pyroelectric energy-conversion research is focused on harvesting from waste heat. Meanwhile, there is a need for portable power with extended lifetimes and energy densities. Here, we demonstrate the potential for a portable power concept using pyroelectric energy conversion driven by the heat from on-chip catalytic combustion of methanol. Given the high energy density of liquid fuels (22 MJ/kg for methanol), system conversion efficiencies of only 3% bring the energy density close to Li-ion batteries (∼0.8 MJ/kg). Nanostructured iridium oxide serves as the top electrode and combustion catalyst, with light-off temperatures as low as 105°C. The in-operando energy-conversion performance is measured for thin film La-doped lead zirconate titanate, showing a 2.5× increase in power when operating at the phase transition compared to room temperature. Energy-conversion densities of 48 mJ/cm³ are extracted from the on-chip combustion experiments between temperatures of 230°C and 255°C.

热电能量转换研究的重点是废热的收集。同时，需要具有延长的寿命和能量密度的便携式电源。在这里，我们展示了利用热电能量转换（由甲醇的片上催化燃烧产生的热量驱动）产生便携式电源概念的潜力。鉴于液体燃料的高能量密度（甲醇为22 MJ / kg），系统转换效率仅为3％，使能量密度接近锂离子电池（约0.8 MJ / kg）。纳米结构的氧化铱用作顶部电极和燃烧催化剂，起燃温度低至105°C。将在-operando测量了掺La薄膜的锆钛酸铅钛酸酯的能量转换性能，与室温相比，在相变条件下工作时，功率增加了2.5倍。从230°C至255°C温度之间的片上燃烧实验中提取了48 mJ / cm ^3的能量转换密度。