1
|
Jiang L, Horike S, Mukaida M, Kirihara K, Seki K, Wei Q. High-Performance Isotropic Thermo-Electrochemical Cells Using Agar-Gelled Ferricyanide/Ferrocyanide/Guanidinium. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2023; 7:2200207. [PMID: 37287596 PMCID: PMC10242534 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202200207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An isotropic thermo-electrochemical cell is introduced with a high Seebeck coefficient (S e) of 3.3 mV K-1 that uses a ferricyanide/ferrocyanide/guanidinium-based agar-gelated electrolyte. A power density of about 20 µW cm-2 is achieved at a temperature difference of about 10 K, regardless of whether the heat source is on the top or bottom section of the cell. This behavior is very different from that of cells with liquid electrolytes, which exhibit high anisotropy, and for which high S e values are achieved only by heating the bottom electrode. The guanidinium-containing gelatinized cell does not exhibit steady-state operation, but its performance recovers when disconnected from the external load, suggesting that the observed power drop under load conditions is not due to device degeneration. The large S e value and isotropic properties can mean that the novel system represents a major advancement from the standpoint of harvesting of low-temperature heat, such as body heat and solar thermal heat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Jiang
- Nanomaterials Research InstituteDepartment of Materials and ChemistryNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)1‐1‐1 HigashiTsukubaIbaraki305‐8565Japan
| | - Shohei Horike
- Department of Chemical Science and EngineeringGraduate School of EngineeringKobe University1‐1 Rokkodai‐choKobe657‐8501Japan
- PRESTOJapan Science and Technology AgencyKawaguchi332‐0012Japan
- Research Center for Membrane and Film TechnologyKobe University1‐1 Rokkodai‐choKobe657‐8501Japan
| | - Masakazu Mukaida
- Nanomaterials Research InstituteDepartment of Materials and ChemistryNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)1‐1‐1 HigashiTsukubaIbaraki305‐8565Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kirihara
- Nanomaterials Research InstituteDepartment of Materials and ChemistryNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)1‐1‐1 HigashiTsukubaIbaraki305‐8565Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Seki
- GZRNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)16‐1 OnogawaTsukubaIbaraki305‐8569Japan
| | - Qingshuo Wei
- Nanomaterials Research InstituteDepartment of Materials and ChemistryNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)1‐1‐1 HigashiTsukubaIbaraki305‐8565Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cho Y, Nagatsuka S, Murakami Y. Thermoelectrochemical Seebeck coefficient and viscosity of Co-complex electrolytes rationalized by the Einstein relation, Jones-Dole B coefficient, and quantum-chemical calculations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:21396-21405. [PMID: 36047310 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02985e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The Seebeck coefficient (Se) and the viscosity of a redox electrolyte are the key characteristics of thermoelectrochemical cells that generate electric power from waste thermal energy. However, the recent upsurge of research in this field is seriously disconnected from the knowledge of solution chemistry explored in the previous century. Herein, we systematically investigate five redox couples of cobalt complexes containing different aromatic ligands and anions in γ-butyrolactone solvent to demonstrate how the Einstein relation of hydrodynamic theory and the Jones-Dole B coefficient obtained from viscosity measurements can be used to account for such electrolyte properties. In essence, we reveal that the outer-shell (solvent reorganization) and inner-shell (metal-ligand reorganization) contributions to the redox reaction entropy ΔSrc (∝Se) can be quantified by the analyses using the B-coefficients and quantum-chemical simulations, respectively, while the distinct regimes found in the viscosity and conductivity are well accounted for by the Einstein relation, despite its classical hydrodynamic origin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Shinya Nagatsuka
- Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., 3-31-12 Shimo, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8588, Japan
| | - Yoichi Murakami
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.,Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Advances in Thermo-Electrochemical (TEC) Cell Performances for Harvesting Low-Grade Heat Energy: A Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Thermo-electrochemical cells (also known as thermocells, TECs) represent a promising technology for harvesting and exploiting low-grade waste heat (<100–150 °C) ubiquitous in the modern environment. Based on temperature-dependent redox reactions and ion diffusion, emerging liquid-state thermocells convert waste heat energy into electrical energy, generating power at low costs, with minimal material consumption and negligible carbon footprint. Recent developments in thermocell performances are reviewed in this article with specific focus on new redox couples, electrolyte optimisation towards enhancing power output and operating temperature regime and the use of carbon and other nanomaterials for producing electrodes with high surface area for increasing current density and device performance. The highest values of output power and cell potentials have been achieved for the redox ferri/ferrocyanide system and Co2+/3+, with great opportunities for further development in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. New thermoelectric applications in the field include wearable and portable electronic devices in the health and performance-monitoring sectors; using body heat as a continuous energy source, thermoelectrics are being employed for long-term, continuous powering of these devices. Energy storage in the form of micro supercapacitors and in lithium ion batteries is another emerging application. Current thermocells still face challenges of low power density, conversion efficiency and stability issues. For waste-heat conversion (WHC) to partially replace fossil fuels as an alternative energy source, power generation needs to be commercially viable and cost-effective. Achieving greater power density and operations at higher temperatures will require extensive research and significant developments in the field.
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang L, Kirihara K, Nandal V, Seki K, Mukaida M, Horike S, Wei Q. Thermoelectrochemical Cells Based on Ferricyanide/Ferrocyanide/Guanidinium: Application and Challenges. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:22921-22928. [PMID: 35075902 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c22084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ferricyanide/ferrocyanide/guanidinium-based thermoelectrochemical cells have been investigated under different loading conditions in this work. Compared with ferricyanide/ferrocyanide-based devices, the device with guanidinium-added electrolytes shows higher power and energy densities. We observed that the enhanced performance is not due to the ionic Seebeck effect of guanidinium but because of the configuration entropy change resulting from the selective binding of Gdm+ to Fe(CN)64-. However, the device with guanidinium-added electrolyte does not show steady-state operation. The two possible reasons include (1) the difficult diffusion of Fe(CN)63- into the crystal layer of (Gdm+)n[Fe(CN)64-] at the hot electrode and (2) the difficult precipitation of (Gdm+)n[Fe(CN)64-] formed at the cold side upon the binding of the reduced Fe(CN)64- with Gdm+. Nevertheless, the performance recovers once the device is disconnected from the external loading. Due to the high thermopower after adding guanidinium, we successfully fabricate self-powered sensors by connecting four flexible cells in series. The sensors can transfer humidity, temperature, and air pressure data wirelessly using body heat. Therefore, ferricyanide/ferrocyanide/guanidinium is a promising electrolyte material for applications of low-grade energy harvesting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Jiang
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kirihara
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Vikas Nandal
- GZR, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Seki
- GZR, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Masakazu Mukaida
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Shohei Horike
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi 332-0012, Japan
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Qingshuo Wei
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Massetti M, Jiao F, Ferguson AJ, Zhao D, Wijeratne K, Würger A, Blackburn JL, Crispin X, Fabiano S. Unconventional Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications. Chem Rev 2021; 121:12465-12547. [PMID: 34702037 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Heat is an abundant but often wasted source of energy. Thus, harvesting just a portion of this tremendous amount of energy holds significant promise for a more sustainable society. While traditional solid-state inorganic semiconductors have dominated the research stage on thermal-to-electrical energy conversion, carbon-based semiconductors have recently attracted a great deal of attention as potential thermoelectric materials for low-temperature energy harvesting, primarily driven by the high abundance of their atomic elements, ease of processing/manufacturing, and intrinsically low thermal conductivity. This quest for new materials has resulted in the discovery of several new kinds of thermoelectric materials and concepts capable of converting a heat flux into an electrical current by means of various types of particles transporting the electric charge: (i) electrons, (ii) ions, and (iii) redox molecules. This has contributed to expanding the applications envisaged for thermoelectric materials far beyond simple conversion of heat into electricity. This is the motivation behind this review. This work is divided in three sections. In the first section, we present the basic principle of the thermoelectric effects when the particles transporting the electric charge are electrons, ions, and redox molecules and describe the conceptual differences between the three thermodiffusion phenomena. In the second section, we review the efforts made on developing devices exploiting these three effects and give a thorough understanding of what limits their performance. In the third section, we review the state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials investigated so far and provide a comprehensive understanding of what limits charge and energy transport in each of these classes of materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Massetti
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Fei Jiao
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Tianjin University & Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Andrew J Ferguson
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, 80401 United States
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Kosala Wijeratne
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Alois Würger
- Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux, 351 cours de la Libération, F-33405 Talence Cedex, France
| | | | - Xavier Crispin
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Simone Fabiano
- Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
High seebeck coefficient in middle-temperature thermocell with deep eutectic solvent. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11929. [PMID: 34099827 PMCID: PMC8184835 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91419-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep eutectic solvent (DES) was applied to the solvent of thermocell and high Seebeck coefficient (Se) of the thermocell was achieved at high-temperatures operation. The Se of a redox couple of ferricyanide and ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3−/4−) reaches − 1.67 mV/K in a DES consisting of ethylene glycol and choline chloride. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that this is due to the strong interactions between the redox couple and the DES. Furthermore, the cell can operate over a wide temperature range of 135–165 °C. This result is a desired feature for waste-heat recovery applications.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
AbstractIonic thermoelectric polymers are a new class of materials with great potential for use in low-grade waste heat harvesting and the field has seen much progress during the recent years. In this work, we briefly review the working mechanism of such materials, the main advances in the field and the main criteria for performance comparison. We examine two types of polymer-based ionic thermoelectric materials: ionic conductive polymer and ionogels. Moreover, as a comparison, we also examine the more conventional ionic liquid electrolytes. Their performance, possible directions of improvements and potential applications have been evaluated.
Collapse
|
8
|
Sosnowska A, Laux E, Keppner H, Puzyn T, Bobrowski M. Relatively high-Seebeck thermoelectric cells containing ionic liquids supplemented by cobalt redox couple. J Mol Liq 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.113871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
9
|
MacFarlane DR, Chong AL, Forsyth M, Kar M, Vijayaraghavan R, Somers A, Pringle JM. New dimensions in salt-solvent mixtures: a 4th evolution of ionic liquids. Faraday Discuss 2019; 206:9-28. [PMID: 29034392 DOI: 10.1039/c7fd00189d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the field of ionic liquids (ILs) it has long been of fundamental interest to examine the transition from salt-in-solvent behaviour to pure liquid-salt behaviour, in terms of structures and properties. At the same time, a variety of applications have beneficially employed IL-solvent mixtures as media that offer an optimal set of properties. Their properties in many cases can be other than as expected on the basis of simple mixing concepts. Instead, they can reflect the distinct structural and interaction changes that occur as the mixture passes through the various stages from pure coulombic medium, to "plasticised" coulombic medium, into a meso-region where distinct molecular and ionic domains can co-exist. Such domains can persist to quite a high dilution into the salt-in-solvent regime and their presence manifests itself in a number of important synergistic interaction effects in diverse areas such as membrane transport and corrosion protection. Similarly, the use of ionic liquids in synthetic processes where there is a significant volume fraction of molecular species present can produce a variety of distinct and unexpected effects. The range of these salt-solvent mixtures is considerably broader than just those based on ionic liquids, since there is only minor value in the pure salt being a liquid at the outset. In other words, the extensive families of organic and metal salts become candidates for study and use. Our perspective then is of an evolution of ionic liquids into a broader field of fundamental phenomena and applications. This can draw on an even larger family of tuneable salts that exhibit an exciting combination of properties when mixed with molecular liquids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R MacFarlane
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia.
| | - Alison L Chong
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia.
| | - Maria Forsyth
- Institute for Frontier Materials, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Mega Kar
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia.
| | - R Vijayaraghavan
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia.
| | - Anthony Somers
- Institute for Frontier Materials, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Jennifer M Pringle
- Institute for Frontier Materials, The Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Taheri A, MacFarlane DR, Pozo-Gonzalo C, Pringle JM. The Effect of Solvent on the Seebeck Coefficient and Thermocell Performance of Cobalt Bipyridyl and Iron Ferri/Ferrocyanide Redox Couples. Aust J Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/ch19245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of thermal energy to electricity using thermoelectrochemical cells (thermocells) is a developing approach to harvesting waste heat. The performance of a thermocell is highly dependent on the solvent used in the electrolyte, but the interplay of the various solvent effects is not yet well understood. Here, using the redox couples [Co(bpy)3][BF4]2/3 (bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl) and (Et4N)3/(NH4)4Fe(CN)6, which have been designed to allow dissolution in different solvent systems (aqueous, non-aqueous, and mixed solvent), the effect of solvent on the Seebeck coefficient (Se) and cell performance was studied. The highest Se for a cobalt-based redox couple measured thus far is reported. Different trends in the Seebeck coefficients of the two redox couples as a function of the ratio of organic solvent to water were observed. The cobalt redox couple produced a more positive Se in organic solvent than in water, whereas addition of water to organic solvent resulted in a more negative Se for Fe(CN)6 3−/4−. UV-vis and IR investigations of the redox couples indicate that Se is affected by changes in solvent–ligand interactions in the different solvent systems.
Collapse
|
11
|
Aqueous thermogalvanic cells with a high Seebeck coefficient for low-grade heat harvest. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5146. [PMID: 30514952 PMCID: PMC6279834 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07625-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermogalvanic cells offer a cheap, flexible and scalable route for directly converting heat into electricity. However, achieving a high output voltage and power performance simultaneously from low-grade thermal energy remains challenging. Here, we introduce strong chaotropic cations (guanidinium) and highly soluble amide derivatives (urea) into aqueous ferri/ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4−/[Fe(CN)6]3−) electrolytes to significantly boost their thermopowers. The corresponding Seebeck coefficient and temperature-insensitive power density simultaneously increase from 1.4 to 4.2 mV K−1 and from 0.4 to 1.1 mW K−2 m−2, respectively. The results reveal that guanidinium and urea synergistically enlarge the entropy difference of the redox couple and significantly increase the Seebeck effect. As a demonstration, we design a prototype module that generates a high open-circuit voltage of 3.4 V at a small temperature difference of 18 K. This thermogalvanic cell system, which features high Seebeck coefficient and low cost, holds promise for the efficient harvest of low-grade thermal energy. Achieving high thermopower in liquid-state thermogalvanic cells is vital to realize a low-cost technology solution for thermal-to-electrical energy conversion. Here, the authors present aqueous thermogalvanic cells based on modified electrolyte with enhanced Seebeck coefficient and thermopower.
Collapse
|
12
|
Al-Masri D, Dupont M, Yunis R, MacFarlane DR, Pringle JM. The electrochemistry and performance of cobalt-based redox couples for thermoelectrochemical cells. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
13
|
Dupont MF, MacFarlane DR, Pringle JM. Thermo-electrochemical cells for waste heat harvesting - progress and perspectives. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:6288-6302. [PMID: 28534592 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc02160g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Thermo-electrochemical cells (also called thermocells) are promising devices for harvesting waste heat for the sustainable production of energy. Research into thermocells has increased significantly in recent years, driven by advantages such as their ability to continuously convert heat into electrical energy without producing emissions or consuming materials. Until relatively recently, the commercial viability of thermocells was limited by their low power output and conversion efficiency. However, there have lately been significant advances in thermocell performance as a result of improvements to the electrode materials, electrolyte and redox chemistry and various features of the cell design. This article overviews these recent developments in thermocell research, including the development of new redox couples, the optimisation of electrolytes for improved power output and high-temperature operation, the design of high surface area electrodes for increased current density and device flexibility, and the optimisation of cell design to further enhance performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M F Dupont
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wijeratne K, Vagin M, Brooke R, Crispin X. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-tosylate (PEDOT-Tos) electrodes in thermogalvanic cells. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY. A 2017; 5:19619-19625. [PMID: 29308202 PMCID: PMC5735355 DOI: 10.1039/c7ta04891b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The interest in thermogalvanic cells (TGCs) has grown because it is a candidate technology for harvesting electricity from natural and waste heat. However, the cost of TGCs has a major component due to the use of the platinum electrode. Here, we investigate new alternative electrode material based on conducting polymers, more especially poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-tosylate (PEDOT-Tos) together with the ferro/ferricyanide redox electrolyte. The power generated by the PEDOT-Tos based TGCs increases with the conducting polymer thickness/multilayer and reaches values similar to the flat platinum electrode based TGCs. The physics and chemistry behind this exciting result as well as the identification of the limiting phenomena are investigated by various electrochemical techniques. Furthermore, a preliminary study is provided for the stability of the PEDOT-Tos based TGCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosala Wijeratne
- Department of Science and Technology , Linköping University , Campus Norrköping , S-60174 , Norrköping , Sweden .
| | - Mikhail Vagin
- Department of Science and Technology , Linköping University , Campus Norrköping , S-60174 , Norrköping , Sweden .
| | - Robert Brooke
- Department of Science and Technology , Linköping University , Campus Norrköping , S-60174 , Norrköping , Sweden .
| | - Xavier Crispin
- Department of Science and Technology , Linköping University , Campus Norrköping , S-60174 , Norrköping , Sweden .
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Liquid salts comprising molten salts and ionic liquids offer important media to address both energy and materials challenges. Here we review topics presented in this Faraday Discussion volume related to improved electrowinning of metals, optimisation of processes, new electrochemical device concepts, chemistry in ionic liquids, conversion of biomass, carbon chemistry and nuclear applications. The underlying phenomenology is then reviewed and commentary given. Some future applications are then discussed, further exemplifying the high potential rewards achievable from these chemistries.
Collapse
|