Study of functionalised Pluronic® polymer doping in thermoelectric ionic polymer gels for tuning of ionic Seebeck coefficient and application in harvesting heat to electricity

Thermoelectric ionic polymer gel (TEIPG) materials are rising generation of thermal energy harvesting materials which can harvest thermal energy by temperature gradient difference assisted thermo-diffusion of ions within the gel matrix.

TEIPGs are claiming a bright future due to wide applications in heat harvesting and powering wearable electronics devices.

However, a long way needs to be taken concerning material optimization and structural design to enhance the efficiency of these materials and accelerate the scale-up of the fabrication process of devices.

The project TE-IonicPolyGels targets the development of TEIPG with a wide ionic Seabeck coefficient to realize improved energy harvesting and gel properties to meet printable device fabrication on rigid and flexible requirements.

The project comprises the following aims: [A] functionalisation of Pluronic® polymer chain end groups with acidic/basic/neutral salt-based functional groups as new materials. [B] doping study of functionalized and bare Pluronic® polymers in thermoelectric gel system and screening of thermoelectric properties, [C] development of printable ink of TEIPGs for device fabrication and application in charging of wearable device and waste heat harvesting from the environment.

This project will serve knowledge to utilize Pluronic® polymer to develop efficient TEIPGs with tunable Seebeck coefficient and printable ink formation properties. The project will be conducted by an early career material Research Scientist, Dr. Kevalkumar K. Sonigara, under the supervision of Prof.

Martin Pumera at the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno University of Technology. The fellowship will expand the horizons and expertise of Dr. Sonigara in TEIPGs field and boost his employability and academic career.

From TE-IonicPolyGels project, we hope to establish a robust scientific and technical platform for European science and technology and promote the European economy's prosperity.