Cover Feature: Thermoelectric Converters Based on Ionic Conductors (2/2021)

Abstract

Ionic thermoelectric materials are able to convert heat energy into electric energy under a temperature gradient through ion rearrangement at the electrode-liquid interface and directional migration of ions in the bulk phase. Compared with traditional electronic thermoelectric materials, they have a higher Seebeck coefficient and lower thermal conductivity, as well as the advantages of high flexibility, low cost, low environmental pollution and self-healing ability. This Minireview proposes three different thermoelectric conversion mechanisms of ionic thermoelectric materials. In addition, several representative examples of ionic thermoelectric materials are summarized to demonstrate their applications and challenges. More information can be found in the Minireview by Yapei Wang et al.