3D Conformal Printing and Photonic Sintering of High‐Performance Flexible Thermoelectric Films Using 2D Nanoplates

Journal Article · 18 July 2019 · Advanced Functional Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201901930 · OSTI ID:1543050

Saeidi‐Javash, Mortaza ^[1]; Kuang, Wenzheng ^[1]; Dun, Chaochao  ^[1]; Zhang, Yanliang  ^[1]

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1. Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA

Abstract Flexible thermoelectric (TE) devices hold great promise for energy harvesting and cooling applications, with increasing significance to serve as perpetual power sources for flexible electronics and wearable devices. Despite unique and superior TE properties widely reported in nanocrystals, transforming these nanocrystals into flexible and functional forms remains a major challenge. Herein, demonstrated is a transformative 3D conformal aerosol jet printing and rapid photonic sintering process to print and sinter solution‐processed Bi ₂ Te _2.7 Se _0.3 nanoplate inks onto virtually any flexible substrates. Within seconds of photonic sintering, the electrical conductivity of the printed film is dramatically improved from nonconductive to 2.7 × 10 ⁴ S m ⁻¹ . The films demonstrate a room temperature power factor of 730 µW m ⁻¹ K ⁻² , which is among the highest values reported in flexible TE films. Additionally, the film shows negligible performance changes after 500 bending cycles. The highly scalable and low‐cost fabrication process paves the way for large‐scale manufacturing of flexible devices using a variety of high‐performing nanoparticle inks.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: DE‐NE0008712
• OSTI ID: 1543050
• Journal Information: Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Functional Materials Vol. 29 Journal Issue: 35; ISSN 1616-301X
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English