Dual-Type Flexible-Film Thermoelectric Generators Using All-Carbon Nanotube Films
Source abstract
Abstract
The long-term stability of n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in air makes all-carbon thermoelectric generators (TEGs) viable. To increase the performance of TEGs, we developed a dual-type flexible-film thermoelectric generator (DFTEG). The vacuum filtering was used to form p- and n-type SWCNT films from ethanol-based dispersion and water-based solutions with cationic surfactant, respectively. DFTEGs were fabricated as follows: strip-shaped p- and n-type SWCNT films were attached on the top and back sides of a polyimide substrate, respectively, and were connected alternately in series by bending copper tapes on the edge of the polyimide substrate. The thermoelectric performance was measured after attaching the DFTEG outside a beaker full of water, where the water surface reached the center of the DFTEG. For a 10 mm long film and 15 p-n pairs, the DFTEG had an output voltage of 40 mV and a maximum power of 891 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K. The measured thermoelectric performance was significantly higher than that of the single-type TEG for almost the same SWCNT films. This result demonstrates that thermoelectric performance can be improved by using DFTEGs that are fabricated with optimum structural designs.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices · Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies · Innovative Energy Harvesting Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Materials Science, Tokai University, 4-1-1 Kitakaname, Hiratsuka 259-1292, Kanagawa, Japan
Funding
Business development of joint research in industry and academia at Hiratsuka city and Kanto Yakin Kogyo Corporation
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