N-Type Nanocomposite Films Combining SWCNTs, Bi2Te3 Nanoplates, and Cationic Surfactant for Pn-Junction Thermoelectric Generators with Self-Generated Temperature Gradient Under Uniform Sunlight Irradiation.

Abstract

Flexible thermoelectric generators (TEGs) with pn-junction single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films on a polyimide substrate have attracted considerable attention for energy harvesting. This is because they generate electricity through the photo-thermoelectric effect by self-generated temperature gradient under uniform sunlight irradiation. To increase the performance and durability of the pn-junction TEGs, n-type films need to be improved as a priority. In this study, bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) nanoplates synthesized by the solvothermal method were added to the n-type SWCNT films, including a cationic surfactant to form the nanocomposite films because Bi₂Te₃ has high n-type thermoelectric properties and high durability. The performances of the pn-junction TEGs were investigated by varying the heat treatment times. When the artificial sunlight was uniformly irradiated to the pn-junction TEGs, a stable output voltage of 0.47 mV was observed in the TEG with nanocomposite films heat-treated at 1 h. The output voltage decreased with increasing heat treatment time due to the decrease in the p-type region. The output voltage of TEG at 1 h is higher than that of the TEGs without Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates under the same conditions. Therefore, the addition of Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates was found to improve the performance of the pn-junction TEGs. These findings may aid in the development of facile and flexible optical devices, including photodetectors and hybrid devices integrating solar cells.