Wearable thermoelectric generator with vertically aligned PEDOT:PSS and carbon nanotubes thermoelements for energy harvesting

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) facilitate maintenance-free sustainable energy transduction, making them attractive and feasible options for self-powered wearable electronics. Nonetheless, their energy-conversion process suffers from inadequate design rigidity owing to the use of brittle inorganic materials, inapt applications. Thus, development a TEG made flexible materials with high deformability is required. In this study, novel was designed fabricated vertically aligned p-type PEDOT:PSS n-type SWCNT film-based thermoelements. Finite element analysis used optimize thermoelement length, which essential enhancing overall output performance. This study also examined effects acid-based post-treatment polyethylenimine concentration on thermoelectric properties films, respectively. As proof concept, proposed TEG, composed five pairs thermoelements, generated an open-circuit voltage 1.75 mV while produced maximum power density ~6.1 nW 10.17 nWcm−2, respectively, at ΔT 11.24°C by harvesting wrist. The represents significant step toward developing next-generation organic that can pave way electronics in manner utilizing body heat.