Synergistic dual anion regulation unlocks giant thermopower and power density in hydrogel

Abstract

Abstract Harvesting low-grade heat from the environment and converting it into electricity holds the potential to power devices independent of cables or batteries. However, their effectiveness is limited by weak ion selectivity and insufficient concentration gradients. Here, we introduce the use of a calix[4]pyrrole as effective anion traps to selectively capture Fe(CN) 6 4– and Cl − anions, enabling simultaneous modulation of redox ion distribution and suppression of anion mobility under a temperature gradient. This strategy combines desolvation-induced entropy gain with thermodiffusion enhancement arising from the mobility asymmetry between cations and anions. This leads to a synergistic boost in thermopower to an impressive 8.1 mV K −1 , and results in a 20-fold increase in output power compared to the PVA/Fe(CN) 6 3–/4– system. Demonstrated through a proof-of-concept wearable device with 36 unipolar elements, our system generated nearly 3 volts under ambient conditions. This strategy offers a promising route toward thermoelectric materials with enhanced thermopower for efficient harvesting low-grade thermal energy.