Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) operate in the presence of a temperature gradient, where the constituent thermoelectric (TE) material converts heat into electricity via the Seebeck effect. However, TE materials are characterized by a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) and/or power factor (PF), which often has a strong dependence on temperature. Thus, a single TE material spanning a given temperature range is unlikely to have an optimal ZT or PF across the entire range, leading to inefficient TEG performance. Compositionally graded organic–inorganic nanocomposites are demonstrated, where the composition of the TE nanocomposite can be systematically tuned along the length of the TEG, in order to optimize the PF along the applied temperature gradient. The nanocomposite composition is dynamically tuned by an aerosol‐jet printing method with controlled in situ mixing capability, thus enabling the realization of such compositionally graded thermoelectric composites (CG‐TECs). It is shown how CG‐TECs can be realized by varying the loading weight percentage of Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles or Sb₂Te₃ nanoflakes within an organic conducting matrix using bespoke solution‐processable inks. The enhanced energy harvesting capability of these CG‐TECs from low‐grade waste heat (<100 °C) is demonstrated, highlighting the improvement in output power over single‐component TEGs.

中文翻译：

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成分分级的有机-无机纳米复合材料，可增强热电性能

热电发电机（TEG）在存在温度梯度的情况下运行，其中组成的热电（TE）材料通过塞贝克效应将热量转化为电能。但是，TE材料的特征是热电性能因数（ZT）和/或功率因数（PF），它们通常对温度有很强的依赖性。因此，跨越给定温度范围的单一TE材料不太可能具有最佳ZT或PF在整个范围内，导致低效率的TEG性能。演示了成分分级的有机-无机纳米复合材料，其中可以沿着TEG的长度系统地调节TE纳米复合材料的组成，以便沿着施加的温度梯度优化PF。纳米复合材料的成分可以通过可控的原位混合能力的气溶胶喷射印刷方法进行动态调整，从而可以实现这种成分分级的热电复合材料（CG-TEC）。它显示了如何通过改变Bi ₂ Te ₃纳米颗粒或Sb ₂ Te ₃的负载重量百分比来实现CG‐TECs使用定制溶液可加工的墨水在有机导电基质中形成纳米薄片。这些CG-TEC通过低等级废热（<100°C）增强了能量收集能力，证明了输出功率比单组分TEG有所提高。