余龍 邱華 顧鵬









摘要:利用溫差發(fā)電的柔性熱電器件具有可持續(xù)、環(huán)保和可穿戴的優(yōu)點(diǎn),但是多數(shù)熱電器件需要利用金屬電極相互連接,這在一定程度上降低了熱電器件的整體性能。本文利用OA和FeCl對(duì)碳納米管纖維進(jìn)行N型和P型摻雜,制備了無(wú)需金屬電極連接的具有連續(xù)PN結(jié)構(gòu)的熱電纖維,并且利用熱電纖維制備了3D熱電器件。結(jié)果顯示,N型和P型碳納米管纖維基熱電纖維分別具有-69.7、62.2 μV/K的高塞貝克系數(shù)和552.9、431.4 μW/(m·K)的高功率因數(shù),3D熱電器件能夠利用人體與環(huán)境之間垂直方向上的溫差產(chǎn)生開(kāi)路電壓,并可用作簡(jiǎn)單的溫度傳感器。這種3D熱電器件具有優(yōu)異的熱電性能,在柔性自供電領(lǐng)域有廣泛的應(yīng)用前景。
關(guān)鍵詞:碳納米管纖維;PN結(jié)構(gòu);熱電纖維;熱電器件;溫度傳感器
中圖分類號(hào):TS101.921
文獻(xiàn)標(biāo)志碼:A
文章編號(hào):10017003(2024)02006007
DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1001-7003.2024.02.007
收稿日期:20230706;
修回日期:20231215
基金項(xiàng)目:國(guó)家中醫(yī)藥管理局創(chuàng)新團(tuán)隊(duì)與人才培養(yǎng)計(jì)劃項(xiàng)目(ZYYCXTD-D-202206)
作者簡(jiǎn)介:余龍(1997),男,碩士研究生,研究方向?yàn)樘技{米管纖維的智能穿戴應(yīng)用。通信作者:邱華,教授,qiuhua@jiangnan.edu.cn。
人體作為一座巨大的能源庫(kù),收集并利用這些能量在發(fā)展智能可穿戴設(shè)備中顯得尤為重要。熱電材料(thermoelectricity, TE)是一種利用材料內(nèi)部載流子的運(yùn)動(dòng)實(shí)現(xiàn)熱能和電能相互轉(zhuǎn)換的功能材料。熱電材料是基于塞貝克效應(yīng)設(shè)計(jì)的,當(dāng)熱電材料的兩端(熱端和冷端)存在溫度差時(shí),材料中的電荷載流子會(huì)從熱端擴(kuò)散到冷端,產(chǎn)生熱電電壓。人作為一種恒溫動(dòng)物,其散發(fā)的熱量是一種源源不斷的能源,基于熱電轉(zhuǎn)換系統(tǒng)制備的能夠?qū)⑷梭w熱量轉(zhuǎn)換為電能的可穿戴熱電發(fā)電器件,被視為解決可穿戴電子設(shè)備能源問(wèn)題的有效方案之一。傳統(tǒng)的無(wú)機(jī)TE材料(Bi、Te、Sb和Se等)組成的PN結(jié)構(gòu)熱電器件表現(xiàn)出較高的性能,但是它們具有一定的毒性,并且質(zhì)量重和剛性不足等限制了它們?cè)谌嵝詿犭娫O(shè)備中的應(yīng)用。
通常,為了提高熱電器件的轉(zhuǎn)換效率,典型的熱電器件結(jié)構(gòu)由P型和N型支腿串聯(lián)構(gòu)成。P型和N型可以通過(guò)塞貝克系數(shù)來(lái)判斷,P型表現(xiàn)為正塞貝克系數(shù),而N型表現(xiàn)為負(fù)塞貝克系數(shù)。碳納米管(carbon nanotubes,CNTs)由于其優(yōu)異的導(dǎo)電性和可控的塞貝克系數(shù)成為傳統(tǒng)無(wú)機(jī)TE材料的理想替代品[。大多數(shù)基于CNTs的柔性熱電器件是通過(guò)交替堆疊或印刷P型和N型CNTs膜,并將金屬沉積作為P型和N型單元之間的電極來(lái)制造的。但是通過(guò)金屬電極連接P型和N型支腿會(huì)增加接觸電阻,這在一定程度上會(huì)降低熱電器件的輸出功率。這種傳統(tǒng)的柔性熱電器件通常是在平面內(nèi)排列或堆疊一系列薄膜來(lái)組裝的,這在本質(zhì)上也是一種二維結(jié)構(gòu),僅能收集面內(nèi)方向的熱能,但人體與環(huán)境之間主要是垂直方向上的溫度梯度,此時(shí)二維結(jié)構(gòu)的PN支腿難以滿足垂直方向上熱電轉(zhuǎn)換。
碳納米管纖維由于其優(yōu)異的導(dǎo)電性、柔韌性、質(zhì)量輕和可擴(kuò)展性而成為柔性可穿戴熱電器件基體的理想選擇,并且可以很輕松地將碳納米管纖維與立體結(jié)構(gòu)相結(jié)合,快速地把2D結(jié)構(gòu)轉(zhuǎn)換成3D結(jié)構(gòu),實(shí)現(xiàn)人體與環(huán)境之間垂直方向上的熱電轉(zhuǎn)換。碳納米管纖維在富氧環(huán)境中表現(xiàn)出P型半導(dǎo)體特性,需要將P型改變成N型性質(zhì),摻雜是實(shí)現(xiàn)N型碳納米管的最有效方法。目前,含胺基團(tuán)試劑,如聚乙烯亞胺(polyethyleneimine, PEI)和油胺(oleylamine, OA)等,以及含膦基試劑,如1,3-雙(二苯基膦)丙烷(1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino) propane, DPPP)和三苯基膦(triphenylphosphine, TPP)等已被證明可以實(shí)現(xiàn)碳納米管從P型到N型的轉(zhuǎn)換。在熱電中,功率數(shù)與塞貝克系數(shù)和電導(dǎo)率有關(guān),因此如何平衡兩者的關(guān)系對(duì)于提高TE性能至關(guān)重要。
本文以O(shè)A作為碳納米管纖維的N型摻雜劑,氯化鐵(ferric chloride,F(xiàn)eCl)作為增強(qiáng)碳納米管纖維P型特性的P
型摻雜劑,制備無(wú)需金屬電極連接的具有連續(xù)PN結(jié)構(gòu)的熱電纖維,N型和P型碳納米管纖維分別具有-69.7 μV/K和62.2 μV/K的高塞貝克系數(shù),以及552.9 μW/(m·K)和431.4 μW/(m·K)的高功率因數(shù),并且在108 h后N型碳納米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù)未出現(xiàn)明顯的降低,表現(xiàn)出良好的穩(wěn)定性。將熱電纖維纏繞在硅膠條上,成功地制作了能夠利用垂直方向上的溫差發(fā)電的3D熱電器件,這種熱電器件具有良好的熱電轉(zhuǎn)換能力,并且表現(xiàn)出良好的溫度響應(yīng)。
1 實(shí) 驗(yàn)
1.1 原 料
碳納米管纖維以乙醇為碳源,通過(guò)浮動(dòng)催化劑化學(xué)氣相沉積法制備,直徑約為120 μm(自備)。FeCl、OA和乙醇均為分析純(國(guó)藥集團(tuán)化學(xué)試劑有限公司),硅膠條(河北碩宗橡膠制品有限公司)。
1.2 儀 器
紅外熱成像儀(上海熱像科技股份有限公司),Keithley 6510萬(wàn)用電表(泰克科技(中國(guó))有限公司),TA612C熱電偶溫度計(jì)(蘇州特安斯電子有限公司),SU8100場(chǎng)發(fā)射電子顯微鏡(日本株式會(huì)社日立高新技術(shù)),inVia Reflex顯微共聚焦拉曼光譜儀(英國(guó)雷尼紹公司)。電化學(xué)工作站(CS150H, 武漢Corrtest儀器有限公司)。采用自制裝置測(cè)量纖維的塞貝克系數(shù),裝置包括加熱片、萬(wàn)用電表、紅外熱成像儀和散熱器,如圖1所示。
1.3 PN結(jié)構(gòu)3D熱電器件的摻雜和制備
P型和N型摻雜劑的配置:根據(jù)文獻(xiàn)[13]和實(shí)驗(yàn)探索,將一定量OA加入到乙醇溶液中,配置成摩爾質(zhì)量濃度為0.05、0.1、0.2、0.5 g/mL的OA溶液,超聲10 min,作為N型摻雜劑;將FeCl加入到乙醇溶液中,配置成摩爾濃度為10、5、2.5、1.25 mmol/L的FeCl溶液,超聲10 min,作為P型摻雜劑。將碳納米管纖維用去離子水和乙醇洗滌3次,以除去纖維表面的灰塵和雜質(zhì),再小心地纏繞在尺寸為4 cm×4 cm×10 cm(寬×高×長(zhǎng))的硅膠條上,間隔距離為1 mm,制備成具有60對(duì)PN結(jié)構(gòu)的3D熱電器件。將3D熱電器件的兩個(gè)對(duì)稱面分別在常溫下浸漬于OA溶液和FeCl溶液中10 min,隨后在60℃烘箱中烘干,形成N型和P型結(jié)構(gòu),未摻雜區(qū)域用作電極將N型和P型纖維串聯(lián)。
1.4 測(cè)試與表征
1.4.1 SEM和EDS測(cè)試
使用場(chǎng)發(fā)射電子顯微鏡觀察原始碳納米管纖維和PN摻雜后碳納米管纖維的表面形貌,并對(duì)纖維表面進(jìn)行EDS元素掃描分析。首先剪取摻雜前后的纖維,用導(dǎo)電膠粘貼后放置于樣品臺(tái)上,然后對(duì)樣品進(jìn)行1 min噴金處理,噴金完成后在場(chǎng)發(fā)射電子顯微鏡里用不同倍數(shù)觀察樣品形貌,并進(jìn)行EDS元素掃描分析。
1.4.2 拉曼測(cè)試
使用顯微共聚焦拉曼光譜儀對(duì)摻雜前后的碳納米管纖維進(jìn)行拉曼光譜測(cè)試分析。首先剪取一定長(zhǎng)度摻雜前后的碳納米管纖維,固定于錫紙上,再將錫紙固定在載玻片上,然后放置于拉曼光譜儀上使用532 nm波長(zhǎng)進(jìn)行拉曼光譜分析。
1.4.3 電導(dǎo)率和塞貝克系數(shù)測(cè)試
使用加熱片給碳納米管纖維一端加熱,紅外熱成像儀監(jiān)測(cè)碳納米管纖維兩端溫度,使用萬(wàn)用電表讀取碳納米管纖維的電阻和開(kāi)路電壓。首先,剪取一定長(zhǎng)度摻雜前后的碳納米管纖維,使用萬(wàn)用電表測(cè)量纖維的電阻,結(jié)合電鏡圖像測(cè)量纖維的直徑。再根據(jù)下式計(jì)算纖維的電導(dǎo)率:
式中:σ為電導(dǎo)率,l為樣品長(zhǎng)度,R為樣品電阻,S為樣品橫截面面積。
使用導(dǎo)電銀漿將纖維一端固定在加熱片上,另一端固定在常溫固體上,熱端連接萬(wàn)用電表正極,冷端連接萬(wàn)用電表負(fù)極,通電使加熱片加熱,測(cè)量纖維兩端的溫差和開(kāi)路電壓。根據(jù)下式計(jì)算塞貝克系數(shù):
式中:s為塞貝克系數(shù),ΔV為樣品兩端開(kāi)路電壓,ΔT為樣品兩端溫差。
1.4.4 N型碳納米管纖維空氣穩(wěn)定性測(cè)試
使用紅外熱成像儀監(jiān)測(cè)碳納米管纖維兩端溫度,再使用萬(wàn)用電表讀取碳納米管纖維的開(kāi)路電壓,隨后計(jì)算塞貝克系數(shù)。根據(jù)1.4.3所述方法,樣品置于空氣環(huán)境中,每隔12 h計(jì)算一次塞貝克系數(shù),計(jì)算并統(tǒng)計(jì)9次測(cè)量后的數(shù)據(jù)。
1.4.5 3D熱電器件熱電性能測(cè)試
使用萬(wàn)用電表測(cè)量熱電器件的開(kāi)路電壓,熱電偶溫度計(jì)測(cè)量熱端和冷端的溫度。首先,將熱電器件兩端與萬(wàn)用電表正負(fù)極連接,在未摻雜區(qū)域給與熱源形成熱端和冷端,并用熱電偶測(cè)量?jī)啥藴囟龋?jīng)過(guò)多次測(cè)量記錄3D熱電器件的開(kāi)路電壓。通過(guò)電化學(xué)工作站測(cè)量輸出電壓和電流的關(guān)系,并計(jì)算輸出功率。
2 結(jié)果與分析
2.1 PN摻雜碳納米管纖維的形貌結(jié)構(gòu)分析
圖2為摻雜前后碳納米管纖維的表面形貌及元素分析。其中,圖2(a~c)分別為原始碳納米管纖維、N型摻雜后的碳納米管纖維和P型摻雜后的碳納米管纖維的表面形貌。可以明顯看出,原始碳納米管纖維表面有許多分散的碳納米管束網(wǎng)絡(luò),N型摻雜過(guò)后這種碳納米管束網(wǎng)絡(luò)變得模糊,碳納米管束變厚,這是由于部分OA分子滲透到碳納米管纖維內(nèi)部,其余的包覆在碳納米管表面。對(duì)于P型碳納米管纖維,表面碳納米管束的消失可能是由于纖維致密化導(dǎo)致的。OA分子和FeCl滲透到碳納米管纖維內(nèi)部與碳納米管摻雜在一起,用以將纖維改變?yōu)镹型和提高P型性能。與此同時(shí),圖2(d~f)分別為C元素、N元素和Fe元素的EDS圖像,其中C元素來(lái)自原始碳納米管,N元素來(lái)自N型摻雜的OA分子,F(xiàn)e元素來(lái)自P型摻雜的FeCl。由于FeCl溶液摩爾濃度較低,在纖維表面含量較少,所以Fe元素的EDS顯示含量較少,但這并不影響纖維的P型性能。EDS圖像清楚地表明OA和FeCl成功摻雜到碳納米管纖維上。
圖3為原始碳納米管纖維和N型摻雜后碳納米管纖維的拉曼光譜圖。拉曼光譜圖清晰地顯示了碳納米管的典型波段,分別為1 573 cm處的G峰和1 324 cm的D峰。 D峰表示納米管連續(xù)石墨化的結(jié)構(gòu)缺陷,而G峰與沿碳納米管平面的碳原子振動(dòng)有關(guān)。當(dāng)分子共價(jià)鍵合到碳納米管的側(cè)壁上時(shí),sp的雜化(G峰)轉(zhuǎn)換為sp雜化(D峰)。D峰與G峰比值(I/I)通常用來(lái)分析處理后的碳納米管的紊亂程度,也可以定性地表示共價(jià)連接的OA的量。由圖3可以看出,I/I從0.21增加到0.36,這說(shuō)明OA分子和碳納米管之間存在共價(jià)和非共價(jià)相互作用,導(dǎo)致部分sp雜化碳向sp雜化碳轉(zhuǎn)變,I/I值增加。另外,P型碳納米管纖維的I/I為0.20,這表明FeCl的引入并不會(huì)破壞碳納米管原有的結(jié)構(gòu)。
2.2 PN摻雜碳納米管纖維的熱電性能分析
原始碳納米管纖維具有正塞貝克系數(shù),表現(xiàn)出P型特性,這是由于碳納米管纖維吸附空氣中的正離子,這些正離子可以捕獲電子,從而引入空穴,通過(guò)摻雜工藝可以將P型碳納米管纖維轉(zhuǎn)變?yōu)镹型。一般來(lái)說(shuō),表面電荷轉(zhuǎn)移摻雜更加簡(jiǎn)單。通過(guò)在CNTs表面吸附具有供電子基團(tuán)的分子可以誘導(dǎo)N型摻雜,相反,吸附具有吸電子基團(tuán)的分子將導(dǎo)致P型摻雜。為了將P型碳納米管纖維改變?yōu)镹型,聚乙烯亞胺、三苯基膦和1,3-雙(二苯膦)丙烷等已經(jīng)被用于N型摻雜劑。另外,F(xiàn)eCl和4-羥基咔唑也被用于P型摻雜劑。本文利用OA和FeCl作為N型和P型摻雜劑,采用簡(jiǎn)單的浸漬法一步摻雜,得到具有PN結(jié)構(gòu)的碳納米管纖維。如圖4(a)所示,碳納米管纖維浸漬在0.01 g/mL的OA溶液中后,塞貝克系數(shù)變?yōu)?23 μV/K,由正變負(fù),這是由于OA分子中的給電子基團(tuán)將大量電子注入碳納米管中,導(dǎo)致碳納米管中的空穴被占據(jù),這也是碳納米管纖維從P型變?yōu)镹型的標(biāo)志。隨著OA質(zhì)量濃度的提高,負(fù)塞貝克系數(shù)迅速增加,在0.2 g/mL時(shí)到達(dá)最大值-69.7 μV/K。在此之后,如圖4(b)所示,電導(dǎo)率隨著OA質(zhì)量濃度的提高先增加后下降,這可能是由于過(guò)量的OA導(dǎo)致絕緣涂層,阻礙了碳納米管中的電荷轉(zhuǎn)移。為了更加直觀地看出OA摻雜對(duì)碳納米管纖維的影響,計(jì)算出各個(gè)質(zhì)量濃度下N型摻雜的功率因數(shù)。如圖4(b)所示,可以看出,當(dāng)質(zhì)量濃度為0.2 g/mL時(shí),N型碳納米管纖維的功率因數(shù)達(dá)到最大值552.9 μW/(m·K),隨后由于電導(dǎo)率下降,功率因數(shù)隨之減小。
圖5是不同摩爾濃度FeCl溶液對(duì)碳納米管纖維的P型摻雜結(jié)果。FeCl之所以能夠作為P型摻雜劑,是因?yàn)殡姾赡軌驈腃NTs價(jià)帶轉(zhuǎn)移到FeCl,從而產(chǎn)生更多的空穴。由圖5(a)可以看出,原始碳納米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù)為52.8 μV/K,并且低摩爾濃度的FeCl溶液摻雜可以提高碳納米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù),當(dāng)FeCl摩爾濃度為1.25 mmol/L時(shí)塞貝克系數(shù)達(dá)到63.3 μV/K,但隨著摩爾濃度的提高,塞貝克系數(shù)逐漸下降。這是由于過(guò)量的Fe可能導(dǎo)致熱導(dǎo)率增加,引起塞貝克系數(shù)下降。圖5(b)為不同摩爾濃度FeCl摻雜碳納米管纖維后的電導(dǎo)率和功率因數(shù)。隨著FeCl摩爾濃度的提高,電導(dǎo)率也隨之增大,但是由于塞貝克系數(shù)的下降,功率因數(shù)并沒(méi)有逐步提高。當(dāng)FeCl摩爾濃度為2.5 mmol/L時(shí),塞貝克系數(shù)達(dá)為62.2 μV/K,最大的功率因數(shù)為431.4 μW/(m·K)。
為了評(píng)估N型碳納米管纖維的空氣穩(wěn)定性,本文測(cè)量了處理后的碳納米管纖維在室溫環(huán)境下的塞貝克系數(shù)。如圖6所示,每隔12 h測(cè)量N型碳納米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù),連續(xù)測(cè)量了108 h。數(shù)據(jù)表明在108 h后,N型碳納米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù)未出現(xiàn)明顯的下降,保持了很好的穩(wěn)定性。
2.3 熱電器件的熱電性能研究
利用溫差發(fā)電的熱電器件需要在兩端形成溫差,載流子會(huì)從熱端流向冷端,從而在器件兩端形成電勢(shì)差,具有多對(duì)的 PN結(jié)構(gòu)可以提高熱電器件的性能。多數(shù)柔性熱電器件是由P型和N型薄膜交替堆疊而成,再通過(guò)金屬連接P型和N型單元,這種設(shè)計(jì)會(huì)增加整體的接觸電阻,從而降低熱電器
件的性能。利用碳納米管纖維制備的PN相互交替的熱電纖維無(wú)需金屬電極,未摻雜區(qū)域的纖維代替金屬電極從而降低了接觸電阻。如圖7(a)所示,將碳納米管纖維纏繞在硅膠條上,再對(duì)兩側(cè)進(jìn)行P型和N型摻雜,形成具有多對(duì)PN結(jié)構(gòu)的3D熱電器件,當(dāng)在P型和N型上下兩端形成溫差時(shí),可以在器件兩端形成電勢(shì)差,這種結(jié)構(gòu)能夠?qū)⑷梭w與環(huán)境垂直方向上的溫差轉(zhuǎn)化為電能。從前文的測(cè)試可以看到,具有PN結(jié)構(gòu)的碳納米管纖維具有良好的熱電性能,硅膠條具有一定的韌性,兩者結(jié)合制備的3D熱電器件具有一定的柔韌性和靈活性。圖7(b)為人體手掌和前臂接觸熱電器件的電壓變化??梢钥闯?,當(dāng)手掌(ΔT=7 ℃)和前臂(ΔT=5.5 ℃)接觸時(shí),3D熱電器件可以產(chǎn)生13 mV和12 mV的開(kāi)路電壓。隨著熱量傳導(dǎo),熱端和冷端的溫度到達(dá)平衡,兩端溫差逐漸減小,電壓也隨著時(shí)間的增加而逐漸降低。圖7(c)為手掌接觸時(shí),熱電器件所產(chǎn)生的輸出電壓、功率和電流的關(guān)系。將熱電器件放置于桌面上,環(huán)境溫度25℃,溫差約7 ℃,具有60個(gè)PN對(duì)的熱電器件在手掌接觸時(shí)測(cè)量輸出功率,能夠?qū)崿F(xiàn)最大約17.9 nW的輸出功率和2.6 μA的短路電流。
圖7(d)為多次手掌觸碰3D熱電器件產(chǎn)生的開(kāi)路電壓??梢钥闯?,當(dāng)手掌觸碰時(shí)輸出電壓可以迅速響應(yīng),產(chǎn)生約12 mV的電壓。此外,在多次循環(huán)中可以持續(xù)穩(wěn)定地獲得約11 mV的電壓響應(yīng),表明3D熱電器件具有優(yōu)異的響應(yīng)穩(wěn)定性。根據(jù)溫差發(fā)電原理,探索了3D熱電器件的溫度傳感能力,如圖7(e)所示。將不同溫度的熱源與熱電器件接觸時(shí),測(cè)量開(kāi)路電壓的變化。所處環(huán)境溫度為27 ℃,當(dāng)目標(biāo)溫度低于環(huán)境溫度時(shí),輸出的開(kāi)路電壓為負(fù),當(dāng)使用更高的目標(biāo)溫度接觸時(shí),產(chǎn)生的開(kāi)路電壓也相應(yīng)增加。這表明3D熱電器件具有快速高效的溫度傳感性能。
3 結(jié) 論
本文通過(guò)OA摻雜成功地使碳納米管纖維具有N型半導(dǎo)體特性,并使用FeCl摻雜增強(qiáng)了碳納米管纖維的P型特性,制備了無(wú)需金屬電極連接的具有PN結(jié)構(gòu)的連續(xù)熱電纖維,緊接著制備了可以利用人體與環(huán)境之間的溫差發(fā)電的3D熱電器件。研究發(fā)現(xiàn),OA摻雜能夠?qū)⑻技{米管纖維的塞貝克系數(shù)由正變負(fù),當(dāng)OA溶液質(zhì)量濃度為0.2 g/mL時(shí),到達(dá)的最高塞貝克系數(shù)為-69.7 μV/K,此時(shí)最高功率因數(shù)約為552.9 μW/(m·K)。同時(shí),P型的最高功率因數(shù)約為431.4 μW/(m·K),在FeCl溶液摩爾濃度為2.5 mmol/L時(shí)實(shí)現(xiàn)。利用熱電纖維制備的3D熱電器件在ΔT=7 ℃時(shí)可以產(chǎn)生13 mV的開(kāi)路電壓和約17.9 nW的輸出功率,并且表現(xiàn)出良好的循環(huán)穩(wěn)定性。在此基礎(chǔ)上,利用溫差發(fā)電原理可以將熱電器件作為溫度傳感器,當(dāng)接觸不同目標(biāo)溫度時(shí),3D熱電器件可以迅速產(chǎn)生不同的電壓響應(yīng)。此研究可為開(kāi)發(fā)面向可穿戴應(yīng)用的熱電纖維和熱電器件提供很好的參考。
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Preparation and performance research of carbon nanotube fiber-based thermoelectric devices
YU Long, QIU Hua, GU Peng
(College of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China)
Abstract:With the continuous development of flexible wearable electronic devices, thermoelectric (TE) devices, which can harvest energy from human body heat, are highly demanded as a potential wearable energy device. Wearable TE devices based on Seebeck effect, which can convert human body heat into electrical energy, are considered as one of the effective solutions to solve the energy problem of wearable electronic devices. TE devices can directly convert waste heat into electrical energy, which greatly improves energy utilization. And wearable TE devices have significant advantages in human body applications, such as flexibility, environmental protection, and sustainability. In the past few decades, people have been working on developing flexible TE devices. However, traditional inorganic thermoelectric materials have limitations such as heavy weight, high rigidity, and toxicity, which limit their application in flexible devices. In addition, conventional two-dimensional (2D) architecture thermoelectric devices can only harvest thermal energy on a flat surface, making it difficult to utilize the temperature difference in the vertical gradient formed between the human body and the environment.
In order to improve the flexibility and TE performance of TE devices, and to better utilize the vertical temperature difference between the human body and the environment, carbon nanotube fibers with high conductivity, flexibility, and light texture are used as the matrix. Oleylamine (OA) and FeCl were selected as N-type and P-type dopants, and a simple impregnation method was used to perform N-type and P-type doping on the carbon nanotubes. By reasonably regulating the concentrations of OA solution and FeCl solution, the optimal concentration was selected for doping carbon nanotube fibers, resulting in the preparation of PN structured carbon nanotube fibers. Due to the lack of metal electrode connections, carbon nanotube fibers exhibit excellent TE performance. Then, the carbon nanotube fibers with PN structure were combined with a three-dimensional (3D) mold to prepare flexible TE devices with 3D structure. The successful doping of OA and FeCl was confirmed by SEM, EDS, and Raman characterization, and the impact of OA and FeCl on the structure of carbon nanotube fibers was analyzed. In addition, the study tested the effects of different concentrations of OA and FeCl solutions on the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor of carbon nanotube fibers, as well as the TE performance of TE devices on the human body. The study also investigated the potential of thermoelectric devices as flexible temperature sensors. The results indicate that when a 0.2 g/mL OA solution was used as the N-type dopant, the Seebeck coefficient of N-type carbon nanotube fibers was -69.7 μV/K, and the power factor was approximately 552.9 μW/(m·K). On the other hand, when a 2.5 mmol/L FeCl solution was used for P-type doping of the carbon nanotube fibers, the Seebeck coefficient was 62.2 μV/K, and the power factor was around 431.4 μW/(m·K). Furthermore, the N-row carbon nanotube fibers exhibited excellent air stability for over 108 hours. Additionally, the flexible TE device was capable of generating an open-circuit voltage of 13 mV and an output power of approximately 17.9 nW at ΔT=7 ℃, while also demonstrating favorable cycle stability.
By utilizing OA and FeCl as dopants for N-type and P-type, respectively, a one-step doping process was employed to successfully fabricate carbon nanotube fibers with a PN structure. These fibers were then integrated with a three-dimensional mold to create 3D TE devices. This approach enhanced the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the carbon nanotube fibers, consequently improving the TE performance. Moreover, the TE devices based on carbon nanotube fibers exhibited superior flexibility and the ability to conform well to human skin, thereby offering valuable insights for the development of TE fibers and TE devices suitable for wearable applications.
Key words:carbon nanotube fibers; PN structure; thermoelectric fibers; thermoelectric devices; temperature sensor