Abstract
Flexible thermoelectric devices offer huge potential for wearable electronics due to their ability to generate green energy by using low-grade heat. However, achieving both high thermoelectric performance and flexibility simultaneously remains a challenge for these devices. Here, we present a simple and cost-effective method for fabricating a high-performance flexible inorganic-organic thermoelectric film by depositing Ag2Se on a porous nylon membrane. The resulting Ag2Se/nylon film exhibits an ultrahigh power factor of approximately 3.4 mW/mK2 at 300 K, the highest value reported for flexible thermoelectric films to date. The Ag2Se/nylon film also demonstrates remarkable flexibility, confirming its potential application in wearable electronics. A thermoelectric module constructed using eight strips of the processed Ag2Se/nylon film generates an impressive output voltage of 65 mV and an output power of 30 μW at a 30 K temperature difference. Additionally, the fabricated module maintains strong flexibility, producing more than 2 mV when wrapped around a human arm with a temperature difference of 1.6 K. This work highlights the significant potential of inorganic-organic films for flexible thermoelectric applications in wearable and implantable devices.
Funding Information
  • Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India (CRG/2022/005539)
  • Ministry of Education, India

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