A semi-transparent thermoelectric glazing nanogenerator with aluminium doped zinc oxide and copper iodide thin films

Abstract

To address the pressing need for reducing building energy consumption and combating climate change, thermoelectric glazing (TEGZ) presents a promising solution. This technology harnesses waste heat from buildings and converts it into electricity, while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. Here, we developed a TEGZ using cost-effective materials, specifically aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and copper iodide (CuI). Both AZO and CuI exhibit a high figure of merit (ZT), a key indicator of thermoelectric efficiency, with values of 1.37 and 0.72, respectively, at 340 K, demonstrating their strong potential for efficient heat-to-electricity conversion. Additionally, we fabricated an AZO-CuI based TEGZ prototype (5 × 5 cm²), incorporating eight nanogenerators, each producing 32 nW at 340 K. Early testing of the prototype showed a notable temperature differential of 22.5 °C between the outer and inner surfaces of the window glazing. These results suggest TEGZ could advance building energy efficiency, offering a futuristic approach to sustainable build environment. A thermoelectric glazing prototype made from cost-effective aluminium-doped zinc oxide and copper iodide nanogenerators achieves a 22.5 °C temperature difference on either side of the glaze, harvesting electricity from the differential. Such glazes are critical for increasing energy efficiency in the built environment.