Nature Communications (Sep 2024)

Deviceization of high-performance and flexible Ag2Se films for electronic skin and servo rotation angle control

  • Yue-Xing Chen,
  • Xiao-Lei Shi,
  • Jun-Ze Zhang,
  • Mohammad Nisar,
  • Zhong-Zhao Zha,
  • Zi-Nan Zhong,
  • Fu Li,
  • Guang-Xing Liang,
  • Jing-Ting Luo,
  • Meng Li,
  • Tianyi Cao,
  • Wei-Di Liu,
  • Dong-Yan Xu,
  • Zhuang-Hao Zheng,
  • Zhi-Gang Chen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52680-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Ag2Se shows significant potential for near-room-temperature thermoelectric applications, but its performance and device design are still evolving. In this work, we design a novel flexible Ag2Se thin-film-based thermoelectric device with optimized electrode materials and structure, achieving a high output power density of over 65 W m−2 and a normalized power density up to 3.68 μW cm−2 K−2 at a temperature difference of 42 K. By fine-tuning vapor selenization time, we strengthen the (013) orientation and carrier mobility of Ag2Se films, reducing excessive Ag interstitials and achieving a power factor of over 29 μW cm−1 K−2 at 393 K. A protective layer boosts flexibility of the thin film, retaining 90% performance after 1000 bends at 60°. Coupled with p-type Sb2Te3 thin films and rational simulations, the device shows rapid human motion response and precise servo motor control, highlighting the potential of high-performance Ag2Se thin films in advanced applications.