Near infrared photothermoelectric effect in transparent AZO/ITO/Ag/ITO thin films

Abstract

A new concept of oxide-metal-oxide structures that combine photothermoelectric effect with high reflectance (~ 80%) at wavelengths in the infrared (> 1100 nm) and high transmittance in the visible range is reported here. This was observed in optimized ITO/Ag/ITO structure, 20 nm of Silver (Ag) and 40 nm of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), deposited on Aluminum doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) thin film. These layers show high energy saving efficiency by keeping the temperature constant inside a glazed compartment under solar radiation, but additionally they also show a photothermoelectric effect. Under uniform heating of the sample a thermoelectric effect is observed (S = 40 mV/K), but when irradiated, a potential proportional to the intensity of the radiation is also observed. Therefore, in addition to thermal control in windows, these low emission coatings can be applied as transparent photothermoelectric devices.

Achieving Free-Standing PEDOT:PSS Solar Generators with Efficient All-in-One Photothermoelectric Conversion

“…Inorganic semiconductors, such as Bi 2 Te 3 , clathrates, and semimetals, have acquired excellent thermoelectric performance due to the excellent carrier concentration in the range of 10 19 –10 21 cm –3 , while without outstanding photothermal performance. Most STEGs used today are heterogeneous asynchronous (converting light energy to heat first and then to electricity), created by assembling solar absorbers, inorganic materials, and thermal management materials. ,,− Nevertheless, its more thorough practical implementation is constrained by its high cost, labor-intensive preparation, and harsh working circumstances. , Therefore, there is a critical demand for low-cost, straightforward-to-manufacture materials with all-in-one PTE properties.…”

Fabrication of an anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode as an ITO alternative for PDLC smart windows

“…14,15 More importantly, the poor reflection of ITO in the near-infrared (NIR) range makes it undesirable for smart windows from the perspective of thermal management. [16][17][18] To replace the high-cost ITO electrodes, various types of TCEs such as Ag nanowires, 19,20 crackle metal mesh, 21,22 conducting polymers, 23,24 carbon nanotube, 25,26 graphene 27,28 and MXene 29,30 already have been extensively studied to prepare the PDLC smart window. These TCEs despite having a few superior properties, suffer from drawbacks such as high processing cost, complex fabrication steps, low adhesion, less transparency and nonuniform electric field distribution.…”

A Photo‐Thermoelectric Twist to Wireless Energy Transfer: Radial Flexible Thermoelectric Device Powered by a High‐Power Laser Beam

“…[3,5,6] Since the light collector can be tailored and optimized for a specific wavelength, its efficiency can be higher for that radiation, overlooking the efficiency for the whole spectrum. Some examples of these light collectors include simple high light absorbing materials, [7,8] layered structures, [9,10] dispersions, [5,11,12] superlattices, [6] and metamaterials and metasurfaces. [13][14][15] Since some of the studies focus on the implementation of the absorbing materials to the thermoelectric device, their influence is evaluated in commercial thermoelectric generators (TEGs).…”