Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 by carbon nanotubes and silicate aerogel co-doping toward ocean energy harvesting

In this work, we propose a doped-modified thermoelectric generator (TEG) film and apply it to an ocean energy harvesting prototype that primarily utilizes ocean thermal energy. Firstly, A new Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric material with improved performance was synthesized by doping Bi2Te3 with Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for their high electrical conductivity and Silica aerogel for their low thermal conductivity. Subsequently, a performance-optimized, flexible thermoelectric film was fabricated using electron printing technology. By combining the flexible thermoelectric film with a Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and Electromagnetic generator (EMG), a hybrid energy harvesting prototype was developed that can harvest marine renewable energy. The prototype demonstrates a relatively high output voltage of 61 V and an output power of 81.2 μW, corresponding to a power density of 8.1 W/m3 in simulated marine environmental experiments. This ocean-oriented hybrid energy prototype based on co-doped thermoelectric materials unveils new possibilities for self-powered devices in the field of ocean energy harvesting.