Flexible Ag2Se-based thin-film thermoelectrics for sustainable energy harvesting and cooling

Wenyi Chen, Meng Li, Xiaodong Wang, Joseph Otte, Min Zhang, Chengyang Zhang, Tianyi Cao, Boxuan Hu, Nanhai Li, Wei-Di Liu, Matthew Dargusch, Jin Zou, Qiang Sun (), Zhi-Gang Chen () and Xiao-Lei Shi ()
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Wenyi Chen: Queensland University of Technology
Meng Li: Queensland University of Technology
Xiaodong Wang: Queensland University of Technology
Joseph Otte: The University of Queensland
Min Zhang: Queensland University of Technology
Chengyang Zhang: Queensland University of Technology
Tianyi Cao: Queensland University of Technology
Boxuan Hu: Queensland University of Technology
Nanhai Li: Queensland University of Technology
Wei-Di Liu: Queensland University of Technology
Matthew Dargusch: The University of Queensland
Jin Zou: The University of Queensland
Qiang Sun: Sichuan University
Zhi-Gang Chen: Queensland University of Technology
Xiao-Lei Shi: Queensland University of Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The high cost and complexity of fabrication limit the large-scale application of flexible inorganic thermoelectric materials. Currently, Bi2Te3-based materials are the only commercially viable option, but the inclusion of Te significantly increases production costs. This study presents a simple and cost-effective method for fabricating flexible Ag2Se films, employing a combination of solvothermal synthesis, screen printing, and spark plasma sintering. The incorporation of a small amount of Te improves film density and facilitates Te diffusion doping, leading to Ag2Se films with a high power factor of 25.7 μW cm−1 K−2 and a figure of merit (ZT) of 1.06 at 303 K. These films exhibit excellent flexibility, retaining 96% of their performance after 1000 bending cycles at a 5 mm bending radius. Additionally, we design a flexible thermoelectric device featuring a triangular p-n junction structure based on these films. This device achieves a normalized power density of 4.8 μW cm−2 K−2 at a temperature difference of 20 K and a maximum cooling of 29.8 K with an input current of 92.4 mA. These findings highlight the potential of this fabrication method for developing thermoelectric materials and devices for energy harvesting and cooling applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62336-2

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