Carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates as through-thickness thermoelectric generators

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • George Karalis - , University of Ioannina (First author)
  • Lazaros Tzounis - , University of Ioannina (Author)
  • Kyriaki Tsirka - , University of Ioannina (Author)
  • Christos K. Mytafides - , University of Ioannina (Author)
  • Marco Liebscher - , Chair of Construction Materials (Author)
  • Alkiviadis S. Paipetis - , University of Ioannina (Author)

Abstract

This research study demonstrates a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminate with an embedded thermoelectric (TE) enabled glass fiber (GF) ply. The TE-enabled GF functional ply was purposely laminated to create a structural through-thickness thermoelectric generator (TEG). Simultaneously, the highly conductive carbon fiber (CF) reinforcing phase served as electrodes for the device. Tellurium nanowires (NWs) were incorporated in various mass ratios in a PEDOT:PSS matrix to produce different TE pastes. The TE pastes were deposited on the GF fabrics via a facile blade coating technique. The highest power factor (57.2 μW/m.K2, in-plane Seebeck coefficient +189 μV/K) was exhibited by the coating formed by the paste with a specific mass ratio of 1:1 (Te NWs to PEDOT:PSS). The TE-enabled GF plies were employed for the manufacturing of both 10-ply unidirectional (UD), and cross-ply composite laminates. The UD laminate generated a TE voltage (VTEG) of 8.4 mV and a TE current (Isc) of 597.4 μA for 100 K through-thickness temperature difference (ΔT) i.e., a maximum power of 1.3 μW. The temperature sensing capability of the TEG-laminate was also demonstrated. Three-point bending tests indicated a ca. 10% decrease in flexural properties with the integration of the TEG functionality for the UD configuration.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number109291
JournalComposites science and technology
Volume220
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

unpaywall 10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109291

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, Functional coatings, Large-scale thermal energy harvesting, Multifunctional composite laminates, Seebeck effect, Temperature sensor, Thermoelectric generator, Through-thickness

Library keywords