A Soret-electric Generator based on Nafion/ Carbon Nanocomposite Films

• Main Authors: Tseng, Kuo-Lun, 曾國倫
• Other Authors: Whang, Wha-Tzong
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/89082543168236098182

碩士 === 國立交通大學 === 材料科學與工程學系所 === 102 === A new type of thermoelectric generator that we named Soret-electric generator is based on Nafion/carbon nanocomposite films that would recycle wind, heat, and solar energies. This new generator has demonstrated hugh Seebeck coefficient and excellent thermoelectric performance through using the Soret effect in the energy regeneration process. It uses unique flexible polymer nanocomposite films that can display various possibilities of gaining an abundant environment energies into usable electric energy without creating any pollutants or noises. With the aids of moisture flow and diffusion in the nanocomposite films, wind, heat, and solar energies carry the moisture away from the film to bring out the Soret effect electricity. The polymer nanocomposite films from a non-thermoelectric polymer Nafion with mesoporous carbon CMK-3 exhibit high thermoelectric figures-of-merit (ZT) due to the existence of nanopores in the mesoporous carbon. Two of the polymer composite films Nf/PC5 and Nf/PC7 exhibit remarkably high Seebeck coefficient of -60400 μV/K and -39500 μV/K and high ZT of 0.538 and 0.847 respectively. The unique films can regenerate electricity by temperature gradient as well as through moisture diffusion by air flow over one film surface with no temperature gradient. The field voltage of Nf/PC5 film through the moisture diffusion with mild wind flow from a small fan can reach -0.553V, close to the voltage value -0.565V under 10oC temperature gradient. The solar energy can be used with solar heat or by transforming light into heat on the top surface by the black non-transparent Nf/PC films. These discoveries provide new types of electric generators that are light in weight, environmentally clean, involves no moving part, and is completely noise-free. Although there is room for improvement on efficiency, it can regain underutilized natural energies without harm. The in- and out- material in the process is just moisture, with no need for other materials and no chemical reaction. This research show a new generator that can provide promising green energy supply by recycling the plentiful energy sources from natural environment.