Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics
Abstract The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55279-7 |
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| author | Xudong Tao Qianfang Zheng Chongyang Zeng Harry Potter Zheng Zhang Joshua Ellingford Ruy S. Bonilla Emiliano Bilotti Patrick S. Grant Hazel E. Assender |
| author_facet | Xudong Tao Qianfang Zheng Chongyang Zeng Harry Potter Zheng Zhang Joshua Ellingford Ruy S. Bonilla Emiliano Bilotti Patrick S. Grant Hazel E. Assender |
| author_sort | Xudong Tao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and evaporation of metal (Ag or Cu) for thermoelectric layers when using Selective Metallization Technique. Large-scale manufacturing is demonstrated through roll-to-roll processing of a 0.8 m wide polymer web at 25 m/min, achieving high-throughput production of functional thin-film patterns with nanometer thickness. The room-temperature-deposited material system exhibits significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance and facilitates an n-type-to-p-type transition in the Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te-based composite film. Here, we show that while applying Selective Metallization Technique, the evaporation of metal modifies the impact of residual oil on Bi-Sb-Te, which can be effectively removed with a few seconds of plasma exposure, and the fabricated thermoelectric devices are validated in wearable applications utilizing a coiled-up wristband design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4514532bf3f3436b894558440b83853b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-4514532bf3f3436b894558440b83853b2025-01-05T12:37:38ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111210.1038/s41467-024-55279-7Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectricsXudong Tao0Qianfang Zheng1Chongyang Zeng2Harry Potter3Zheng Zhang4Joshua Ellingford5Ruy S. Bonilla6Emiliano Bilotti7Patrick S. Grant8Hazel E. Assender9Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDepartment of Aeronautics, Imperial College London, Exhibition RoadDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadPlasma Quest Limited, Unit 1B, Rose Estate, Osborn Way, HookDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDepartment of Aeronautics, Imperial College London, Exhibition RoadDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks RoadAbstract The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and evaporation of metal (Ag or Cu) for thermoelectric layers when using Selective Metallization Technique. Large-scale manufacturing is demonstrated through roll-to-roll processing of a 0.8 m wide polymer web at 25 m/min, achieving high-throughput production of functional thin-film patterns with nanometer thickness. The room-temperature-deposited material system exhibits significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance and facilitates an n-type-to-p-type transition in the Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te-based composite film. Here, we show that while applying Selective Metallization Technique, the evaporation of metal modifies the impact of residual oil on Bi-Sb-Te, which can be effectively removed with a few seconds of plasma exposure, and the fabricated thermoelectric devices are validated in wearable applications utilizing a coiled-up wristband design.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55279-7 |
| spellingShingle | Xudong Tao Qianfang Zheng Chongyang Zeng Harry Potter Zheng Zhang Joshua Ellingford Ruy S. Bonilla Emiliano Bilotti Patrick S. Grant Hazel E. Assender Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics Nature Communications |
| title | Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics |
| title_full | Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics |
| title_fullStr | Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics |
| title_short | Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics |
| title_sort | cu or ag containing bi sb te for in line roll to roll patterned thin film thermoelectrics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55279-7 |
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