3. Conclusions
In summary, we developed the PTEH-Interlocking cells to achieve
efficient photo-thermo-electric conversion. The PA-PEI-Fe photothermal
film formed at in situ thermo-electric hydrogels via the assembly
of PA and PEI with the [Fe(CN)6]3−oxidation. The interlocking structure at the interface triggered rapid
heat transfer. The increasing redox entropy via
[Fe(CN)6]3− oxidation of PA and
PEI as well as high thermal conductivity at the interface due to the
interlocking structure induce a higher Seebeck coefficient. The
as-prepared PTEH-Interlocking cells enable to high-efficiency harvest
energy from solar light and achieve “solar-thermal-electricity”
conversion. As a practical illustration, In a “smart house,” a
mechanical sensor successfully employed a solar-powered
PTEH-Interlocking device as its energy source. This work provides an
insight for designing the photo-thermo-electric integration cells as
sustainable power sources in the internet of things.