A robust and flexible wearable hydrogel thermocell driven by body heat fabricated by a one-step process at room temperature
Abstract
Emerging flexible hydrogel thermocells (HTCs), which leverage thermoelectric (TE) technology, convert body heat into electricity and provide new opportunities for wearable electronics due to their high power density, stability, and environmental friendliness. However, practical wearable HTCs still face challenges such as complex manufacturing processes and a continuous power supply. Here, a robust and wearable HTC with continuous power supply is fabricated via a simple and feasible technique of a one-step room-temperature process. The HTC is fabricated by the ingenious combination of carboxymethyl chitosan with K3Fe(CN)6/K4Fe(CN)6, simultaneously forming a hydrogel framework and introducing redox couples. The optimized HTC can achieve an improved output power density of 1471.56 μW·m−2·K−2 and a Seebeck coefficient of 4.6 mV·K−1. Remarkably, it can directly and continuously convert body heat into electricity without depletion, effectively powering electronic watches and thermometers. This research demonstrates the broad practical potential of HTCs in everyday wearable applications.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (11)
Siwen Liu
Jingchang Sun
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Zijiang Yang
Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Department of Nephrology, Molecular Cell Laboratory for Kidney Disease, Shanghai Peritoneal Dialysis Research Center, Uremia Diagnosis and Treatment Center, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Yingnan Quan
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Furong Cao
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Huiying Cheng
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Hui Liang
Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study
Liuting Shan
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Qiuju Feng
School of Physics and Electronic Technology, Liaoning Normal University 1 , Dalian 116029,
Jiming Bian
Junfeng Gao
Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams, Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.