Issue 12, 2022

Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range

Abstract

Quasi-solid-state ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) cells have attracted increasing interest due to their high thermopower and easy solution processability for flexible and wearable thermoelectric devices. However, many i-TE gels have drawbacks of a narrow working temperature range (ΔTmax) and low power density. In this study, we introduced glutaraldehyde into the gelatin-KCl-FeCN4−/3− matrix, forming strong covalent bonds and interconnected porous structures, which significantly improve ΔTmax from 9 °C to 23 °C. The formed gelatin/GTA polymer network increases the entropy difference between the redox couples of FeCN4−/3−, thereby enhancing its thermopower. For the first time, a high thermopower of 24.7 mV K−1, a record-high power density of 9.6 mW m−2 K−2 and a 2 h energy density (E2h) of 198 J m−2 are achieved simultaneously in a quasi-solid-state i-TE cell. The i-TE cell exhibits good cycling performance in long-term power generation, corresponding to an average E2h value of 175 J m−2 after the whole cycling process. A flexible and wearable device consisting of 16 i-TE cells can generate a high voltage of 3.6 V and an output power of 115 μW by harvesting body heat. This work provides a general route to increase the working temperature range and output power density of gel-based i-TE cells through a molecular-level approach.

Graphical abstract: Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Aug 2022
Accepted
03 Nov 2022
First published
04 Nov 2022

Energy Environ. Sci., 2022,15, 5379-5390

Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range

Y. Li, Q. Li, X. Zhang, J. Zhang, S. Wang, L. Lai, K. Zhu and W. Liu, Energy Environ. Sci., 2022, 15, 5379 DOI: 10.1039/D2EE02792E

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