A novel and stable way for energy harvesting from Bi2Te3Se alloy based semitransparent photo-thermoelectric module

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2020-12, Vol.849, p.156702-156702, Article 156702
• Main Authors: Fatima, Noshin, Karimov, Khasan S., Qasuria, Tahseen Amin, Ibrahim, Mohd Adib
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth base alloys; Bismuth tellurides; Building energy; Clean energy; COVID-19; Electrodes; Energy conversion efficiency; Energy harvesting; Heat; Modules; Photo-thermoelectric module; Power efficiency; Power management; Renewable energy; Seebeck coefficient; Seebeck effect; Semitransparent; Solar energy; Temperature gradients; Thermoelectric cooling; Uplift; Water heating
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.156702

In this research, due to the present pandemic of COVID-19, we are proposing a stable and fixed semitransparent photo-thermoelectric cell (PTEC) module for green energy harvesting. This module is based on the alloy of Bismuth Telluride Selenide (Bi2Te3Se), designed in a press tablet form and characterized under solar energy. Here, both aspects of solar energy i.e., light and heat are utilized for both energy production and water heating. The semitransparent PTEC converts heat energy directly to electrical energy due to the gradient of temperature between two electrodes (top and bottom) of thermoelectric cells. The PTEC is 25% transparent, which can be varied according to the necessity of the utilizer. The X-ray diffraction of material and electric characterization of module i.e., open-circuited voltage (VOC) and Seebeck coefficient were performed. The experimental observations disclose that in the proposed PTEC module with an increment in the average temperature (TAvg) from 34 to 60 °C, results in the rise of VOC ∼ 2.4 times. However, by modifying the size of heat-absorbing top electrode and by increasing the temperature gradient through the addition of water coolant under the bottom electrode, an uplift in the champion device results in as increment of VOC ∼5.5 times and Seebeck coefficient obtained was −250 μV/0C, respectively. Results show that not only the selection of material but also the external modifications in the device highly effective the power efficiency of the devices. The proposed modules can generate electric power from light and utilize the penetrating sunlight inside the room and for the heating of the water which also acts as a coolant. These semitransparent thermoelectric cells can be built-in within windows and roofs of buildings and can potentially contribute to green energy harvesting, in situations where movement is restricted locally or globally. •A stable and long-lasting semitransparent photo-thermoelectric cell (PTEC) module for green energy harvesting.•Electric parameters to the average temperature and gradient of temperature are measured for different PTEC modules.•Structural modifications enhance the normalized open circuit voltage from 2.4 to 5.5 times.•The experimental results showed that the Seebeck coefficient of the champion device is −250 μV/0C.