Fully inkjet-printed Ag 2 Se flexible thermoelectric devices for sustainable power generation

• Published in: Nature communications 2024-03, Vol.15 (1), p.2141
• Main Authors: Liu, Yan, Zhang, Qihao, Huang, Aibin, Zhang, Keyi, Wan, Shun, Chen, Hongyi, Fu, Yuntian, Zuo, Wusheng, Wang, Yongzhe, Cao, Xun, Wang, Lianjun, Lemmer, Uli, Jiang, Wan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2041-1723

Flexible thermoelectric devices show great promise as sustainable power units for the exponentially increasing self-powered wearable electronics and ultra-widely distributed wireless sensor networks. While exciting proof-of-concept demonstrations have been reported, their large-scale implementation is impeded by unsatisfactory device performance and costly device fabrication techniques. Here, we develop Ag Se-based thermoelectric films and flexible devices via inkjet printing. Large-area patterned arrays with microscale resolution are obtained in a dimensionally controlled manner by manipulating ink formulations and tuning printing parameters. Printed Ag Se-based films exhibit (00 l)-textured feature, and an exceptional power factor (1097 μWm K at 377 K) is obtained by engineering the film composition and microstructure. Benefiting from high-resolution device integration, fully inkjet-printed Ag Se-based flexible devices achieve a record-high normalized power (2 µWK cm ) and superior flexibility. Diverse application scenarios are offered by inkjet-printed devices, such as continuous power generation by harvesting thermal energy from the environment or human bodies. Our strategy demonstrates the potential to revolutionize the design and manufacture of multi-scale and complex flexible thermoelectric devices while reducing costs, enabling them to be integrated into emerging electronic systems as sustainable power sources.