Large-area and adaptable electrospun silicon-based thermoelectric nanomaterials with high energy conversion efficiencies

Alex Morata (), Mercè Pacios, Gerard Gadea, Cristina Flox, Doris Cadavid, Andreu Cabot and Albert Tarancón
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Alex Morata: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Mercè Pacios: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Gerard Gadea: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Cristina Flox: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Doris Cadavid: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Andreu Cabot: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy
Albert Tarancón: Department of Advanced Materials for Energy

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Large amounts of waste heat generated in our fossil-fuel based economy can be converted into useful electric power by using thermoelectric generators. However, the low-efficiency, scarcity, high-cost and poor production scalability of conventional thermoelectric materials are hindering their mass deployment. Nanoengineering has proven to be an excellent approach for enhancing thermoelectric properties of abundant and cheap materials such as silicon. Nevertheless, the implementation of these nanostructures is still a major challenge especially for covering the large areas required for massive waste heat recovery. Here we present a family of nano-enabled materials in the form of large-area paper-like fabrics made of nanotubes as a cost-effective and scalable solution for thermoelectric generation. A case study of a fabric of p-type silicon nanotubes was developed showing a five-fold improvement of the thermoelectric figure of merit. Outstanding power densities above 100 W/m2 at 700 °C are therefore demonstrated opening a market for waste heat recovery.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07208-8

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