Abstract
To conveniently generate electric energy for next-generation smart network monitoring systems, we propose the design and fabrication of slope-type thin-film thermoelectric generators by the simple contact of a heat source. N-type Bi2Te3 films and p-type Sb2Te3 films were formed on a stainless-steel substrate employing potentiostatic electrodeposition using a nitric acid-based bath, followed by a transfer process. In order to naturally induce a temperature difference (ΔT) between the ends of the generator, slope blocks made by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were prepared and then inserted between the generators and heat sources. The performance of the generators, the open circuit voltage (Voc), and the maximum output power (Pmax), were measured using PDMS slope angles as the temperature of the heat source was increased. The ΔT of the generators increased as the slope angle was increased. The generator with the highest slope angle (28°) exhibited a Voc of 7.2 mV and Pmax of 18.3 μW at ΔT of 15 K for a heat source temperature of 42 °C. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of slope-type thin-film thermoelectric generators, which can be fabricated with a low manufacturing cost.
Highlights
Thermoelectric power generators are solid-state devices that can directly convert a temperature gradient into electric power
The thin films in this study exhibited comparable values when compared to well-established thin films prepared using electrodeposition [42]
After fabricating the thin-film generators, we calculated the electrical resistance of the generators based on the thermoelectric properties of the n- and p-type thin films
Summary
Thermoelectric power generators are solid-state devices that can directly convert a temperature gradient into electric power. Thermoelectric generators satisfy the requirements of autonomous sensors They can semi-permanently generate electric power from various places with low-temperature heat sources, such as human bodies and hot water pipes, due to their flexibility [6,7]. Compared with their bulk counterparts, thin-film thermoelectric power generators are more likely to be suitable for powering autonomous sensors, since they are lightweight, and can be miniaturized. When the design of thin-film thermoelectric generators is optimized, they can generate electric power by adding a heat source without applying an arbitrary temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. The performance of the generators, the open circuit voltage (Voc ), and maximum output power (Pmax ), were measured by changing the temperature of the heat source
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