Intelligent light-driven flexible solar thermoelectric system

Abstract Solar thermoelectric generation (STEG) is an excellent and environmentally-friendly way to convert thermal energy into electricity by utilizing Seebeck effect of thermoelectric material. However, how to overcome the rigidity and large output fluctuation of traditional STEG is the key to realize its large-scale application in self-powered devices. Herein, a smart light-driven flexible STEG system was designed and constructed through simple layered structure of VO2 flexible film and carbon nanotube (CNT) thermoelectric modules. Based on the optical control characteristics of VO2 flexible film due to the thermal crystal phase transformation, and the light capture, photo-thermal-electric conversion capabilities of CNT flexible film, the smart light-driven flexible STEG system exhibits good flexibility, light-thermal-electrical conversion and stable voltage output. In the above system, CNT, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as raw material and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as electron donor, p- and n-type flexible thermoelectric films and modules were constructed; VO2 ultrafine powder was dispersed in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the optical control VO2 flexible film was obtained by simple spin coating on the flexible substrate. The system is so flexible that can be folded or bended to different shapes to adapt to different application environments. Furthermore, the intelligent light-driven flexible STEG system can obtain relatively stable voltage to prevent the damage of equipment caused by large voltage fluctuation and has great application potential in civil micro-self-powered devices.