Two-dimensional flexible thermoelectric devices: Using modeling to deliver optimal capability

Abstract

Two-dimensional flexible thermoelectric devices (2D FTEDs) are a promising candidate for powering wearable electronics by harvesting low-grade energy from human body and other ubiquitous energy sources. However, immature device designs in the parametric geometries of FTEDs cannot provide an optimized output power density because of either insufficient temperature difference or unnecessarily large internal resistance. Here, we theoretically design optimal parametric geometries of 2D FTEDs by systematically considering applied temperature difference, temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties of materials, leg thickness, and thermodynamic conditions. The obtained analytical solution determines the optimal leg length for 2D FTEDs when these parameters are given and, therefore, minimizes the internal device resistance and simultaneously maintains the high temperature difference across the TE legs to maximize the device output power density. According to this design, we use flexible Ag2Se films as thermoelectric legs to assemble a 2D FTED, which displays a maximum power output of 11.2 mW and a normalized output power density of 1.43 μW cm−2 K−1 at a temperature difference of 150 K, outnumbering other 2D FTEDs by threefolds. Our 2D FTED can power up four light-emitting diodes, which shows great potential for harvesting electricity from low-grade heat. The exotic and reliable device design concept of 2D FTEDs reported here can be extended to other thermoelectric systems to boost the practical applications of FTEDs.