High-performance flexible thermoelectrics via nanobinder-assisted screen printing

Flexible thermoelectric devices (F-TEDs) have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in wearable electronics, by leveraging the human-environment temperature gradient for power generation and utilizing tiny electrical signal for cooling. Traditional thermoelectric film fabrication processes are hindered by limited scalability and insufficient mechanical stability, primarily due to energy-intensive and complex procedures. In this highlight, we review an innovative nanobinder-assisted screen printing method developed by Chen et al., which integrates solvothermal synthesis and scalable fabrication to produce high-performance flexible thermoelectric films. This strategy employs Te nanorods as "nanobinders" to enhance flexibility and mechanical durability of Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates. The films produced exhibit an impressive figure of merit (ZT) of about 1.3 at 303 K and retain excellent mechanical stability through 1,000 bending cycles. Moreover, the assembled F-TEDs demonstrate 1.2 mW cm⁻² power density with a cooling temperature variation of 11.7 K, underscoring their applicability in advanced wearable power systems and integrated circuit cooling. This scalable, cost-effective approach establishes a robust platform for flexible thermoelectrics and presents a pathway for exploring new material combinations.