Intercalation electrochemistry for thermoelectric energy harvesting from temperature fluctuations

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The effective use of energy from sustainable sources is considered a crucial step on the way to a CO2-neutral economy. Low-grade waste heat (<100 °C) is widely and ubiquitously available, but difficult to convert into electrical energy with current technologies. Here, we demonstrate an electrochemical cell capable of directly converting ambient temperature fluctuations into electricity. Based on intercalation reactions with different entropies, any temperature change leads to a cell voltage and electrical energy can be extracted. The new cell concept features the advantages of thermo-electrochemical cells and pyroelectric-like energy harvesting, which opens a wide range of possibilities for effective and sustainable use of low-grade waste heat.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1203-1206
Number of pages4
JournalChemical communications
Volume58
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jan 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34981803