Abstract

Enhancing energy conversion efficiency and developing sustainable environmental solutions are critical challenges in modern technology. This study presents a novel charge-engineered approach that improves thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance through ferroelectric and dielectric effects while enabling a self-powered nanoplastic filtration system. By integrating poled ferroelectric ceramics (PNN-PZT, PMN-PT) and highly charged polyimide-based dielectrics into TEGs, we significantly enhance output performance without modifying thermoelectric materials. Additionally, an electrostatic nanoplastic filtration system, powered by a rotation-mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), ensures energy-efficient environmental remediation. These synergistic strategies provide scalable solutions for energy harvesting and sustainability applications.

The introduction of a poled ferroelectric ceramic (PNN-PZT) at the cold zone of a Cu/p-type BiSbTe/Au/Cr/SiO₂/Si TEG increased the output voltage to 8.3 mV under a 25 K temperature difference, maintaining stability for over 5 weeks. Replacing PNN-PZT with PMN-PT further enhanced the voltage to 11.1 mV, with a peak output power of 22.3 μW at 1.2 Ω load resistance. A 16-leg TEG fully charged a 10 mF capacitor within 30 seconds, enabling thermoelectric cooling (TEC) with a 1.8× faster cooling rate. Meanwhile, a porous MgO-coated Ni metallic filter achieved 99.12% nanoplastic removal efficiency for 50 nm particles at high flow rates. A rotation-mode TENG provided self-sustained operation while maintaining filtration efficiency above 96% for 20 cycles. These results demonstrate a promising charge-based strategy for enhancing thermoelectric performance and achieving sustainable environmental applications.

1. Jae Won Lee, et al, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 1004-1015

2. Sun-Woo Kim, et al, Adv. Energy Mater. 2022, 220298.

3. Jin-Kyeom Kim et al, Energy Environ. Sci., 2023, 16, 598-609.

4. Jin-Kyeom Kim, et al, ACS nano, 2024, 12146-12157.

5. Do‐Heon Kim, et al, Adv. Energy Mater. 2025, 2405278.

Biography

Dr. Jeong Min Baik is a Professor in the School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU). He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pohang University in 2006 and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Santa Barbara until 2009. He is a co-director of the KIST-SKKU Carbon-Neutral Research Center, a collaborative research initiative between the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), with research contributions credited to both partner institutions. He also serves as the center director of Advanced Green Energy at the SKKU Institute of Energy Science & Technology (SIEST). Since 2023, he has been an associate editor for Nano Energy (Elsevier, IF = 16.8, 2024), Materials Science for Energy Technologies (Elsevier, launched in 2023), and Nano Trends (Elsevier, launched in 2023). His recent research focuses on the synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanowires, nanolayers, and nanopores, for applications in energy conversion devices and nanocatalysts for CO₂ conversion and hydrogen production. His particular interest lies in developing solid-state cooling technologies based on thermoelectric conversion.