High-Efficiency Cryo-Thermocells Assembled with Anisotropic Holey Graphene Aerogel Electrodes and a Eutectic Redox Electrolyte
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1901403 |
Journal / Publication | Advanced Materials |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 25 |
Publication status | Published - 20 Jun 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
Thermocells, capable of converting temperature-dependent electrochemical redox potentials into electrical power, can harvest waste or low-grade heat in an economical and continuous approach with zero carbon emission. However, the power density and conversion efficiency of thermocells are hindered by a narrow operation window and low ion conductivity of the electrodes, especially in freezing weather conditions. Herein, highly efficient cylindrical thermocells, working in a wide operation window of cold temperatures, are developed. A eutectic electrolyte consisting of formamide and water is formulated with a high ion conductivity, which is retained at a significantly extended lower limit of the operation window from conventional 0 to −40 °C. In parallel, an electrode material based on anisotropic holey graphene aerogel is synthesized with improved ion conductivity, especially at temperatures below 0 °C, due to its aligned graphene sheets and pores. By taking the advantages of both components, the power density and the Seebeck coefficient of a single-cylinder thermocell reaches an exceptionally high value, i.e., 3.6 W m<sup>−2</sup> and 1.3 mV K<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Moreover, assembled thermocells in series packaging substantially enhance the voltage of the open-circuit, i.e., from 140 mV (1-cylinder thermocell) to 2.1 V (15-cylinder thermocells). © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Research Area(s)
- anisotropic graphene aerogels, cryo-thermocells, eutectic electrolytes, holey graphene
Bibliographic Note
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Citation Format(s)
High-Efficiency Cryo-Thermocells Assembled with Anisotropic Holey Graphene Aerogel Electrodes and a Eutectic Redox Electrolyte. / Li, Guangyong; Dong, Dapeng; Hong, Guo et al.
In: Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, No. 25, 1901403, 20.06.2019.
In: Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, No. 25, 1901403, 20.06.2019.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review