Abstract
With the rapid development of wearable electronics, looking for flexible and wearable generators as their self-power systems has proved an extensive task. Fiber-based thermoelectric generators (FTEGs) are promising candidates for these self-powered systems that collect energy from the surrounding environment or human body to sustain wearable electronics. In this work, we overview performances and device structures of state-of-the-art fiber-based thermoelectric materials, including inorganic fibers (e.g., carbon fibers, oxide fibers, and semiconductor fibers), organic fibers, and hybrid fibers. Moreover, potential applications for related thermoelectric devices are discussed, and future developments in fiber-based thermoelectric materials are also briefly expected.
Highlights
With the development of science and technology and the progress of industrialization, the increasing demand for electricity, the excessive consumption of fossil energy, and serious environmental problems have attracted more attention in the world in recent years [1]
The dimensionless figure of merit ZT = σS2 T/κ is determined by the performance of the thermoelectric material itself, where T is the average temperature, κ is the thermal conductivity, and σS2 is described as the power factor
These structures of flexible TE devices have been studied extensively and have the advantages of flexible and light-weight properties, they only bend in one direction, with poor air permeability, two-dimensional planar structure, and low damage tolerance, which lead to a lack of essential wearable properties and restrict their commercial application in wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) [3,4,16]
Summary
With the development of science and technology and the progress of industrialization, the increasing demand for electricity, the excessive consumption of fossil energy, and serious environmental problems have attracted more attention in the world in recent years [1]. Most conventional flexible thermoelectric (TE) devices are constructed based on bulk rigid TE elements, films with flexible, elastomer substrates, and flexible fabrics [5,8,9,12,13,14,15] These structures of flexible TE devices have been studied extensively and have the advantages of flexible and light-weight properties, they only bend in one direction, with poor air permeability, two-dimensional planar structure, and low damage tolerance, which lead to a lack of essential wearable properties and restrict their commercial application in wearable TEGs [3,4,16]. Fiber-based TEGs (FTEGs) will be promising candidates for self-powered systems that collect energy from the temperature difference between natural sources and the human body to sustain wearable electronics [4]. The current challenges and outlook for the future development of fiber-based thermoelectric materials were briefly discussed
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