Light and thermal energy cell based on carbon nanotube films

Abstract

An energy cell for scavenging light and thermal energies is reported. This energy cell, consisting of a carbon nanotube film (CNF) integrated with a lead zirconate titanate cantilever, is capable of converting light and thermal energies into electricity. This device is based on actuation of CNF upon illumination by light and thermal radiation and generates an electric potential of 10 V. Experiments show that 2.1 μW power can be generated at a light intensity of 0.13 W/cm2, sufficient to operate some low-power microsensors and integrated circuits.

Studies of Self-Reciprocating Characteristic of Carbon Nanotube Film-Based Cantilevers Under Light and Thermal Radiation

“…As a result, electrostatic field is produced, which also causes the CNF to expand, bend and repel. [12][13] The physical mechanism behind the self-reciprocation has not been reported before and is more complicated. To this end, studies of the electrostatic interaction among randomly connected CNTs in CNF have been carried out.…”

“…Recent experiments have also found that a carbon nanotube film (CNF), in which the CNTs are distributed randomly, has excellent light absorption (from visible to infrared spectrum) capability. [12][13] And the unique optical and thermal properties of CNF have been used recently for optical actuation. 13 6 If we want to harvest the solar energy and thermal radiation using the piezoelectric material cantilever, it is only really meaningful when a self-cyclic bending of the PZT cantilever can be achieved upon exposure to light and thermal radiation.…”

“…Finally, since the CNF-Cu cantilever is operated in an open air environment, the self-reciprocation of a CNF-based cantilever is also related to high electrical conduction and rapid thermal dissipation by the CNF to the environment, and continuous absorption of photons by the CNF from the illuminating light and thermal radiation source. 12 It is anticipated that the self-reciprocating characteristic might be dramatically degraded if the cantilever is operated in a vacuum environment since the heat dissipation from cantilever is significantly reduced. In summary, self-reciprocation of the CNF-Cu cantilever upon exposure to the illumination of light and thermal radiation has been experimentally observed.…”

“…Recently, a prototype device based on the CNF-PZT cantilever technology has been successfully developed for continuously harvesting light and thermal energy, 12 which is due to the unique self-reciprocating characteristic of the CNF-PZT cantilevers upon exposure to the light and thermal radiation. As a result, the CNF-PZT cantilever provides us another new technical option to harvest solar and thermal energy on a single chip, which otherwise is not possible for existing technology.…”

Light-induced vibration characteristics of free-standing carbon nanotube films fabricated by vacuum filtration

“…8 Similar vibratory behavior of vacuum filtration CNT films on Cu substrate has also been observed with laser Doppler vibration and exploited to develop light and thermal energy cells. 9,10 The vibrating mechanism of CNT films is the basis of energy harvesting application where the CNT films and transduction materials are composited, however, research on the vibratory behavior of freestanding CNT films has not been carried out yet.…”