Thermoelectric products, when mostly focused on transforming waste heat to electrical power, now facilitate catalytic procedures, providing ingenious options for energy efficiency and environmental enhancements.Thermoelectric materials, vital for converting thermal to electrical energy and decreasing waste, have actually broadened their utility beyond heat healing to catalysis, driven by natural and industrial heat gradients.With the rapid development of human society, the demand for energy has actually experienced explosive growth. Nevertheless, at the present stage, the usage performance of primary energy is less than 40%, with the rest being lost in the type of waste heat, leading to serious energy waste and intensifying environmental issues.Thermoelectric materials, as a brand-new energy material efficient in straight transforming thermal energy to electrical energy, have actually gotten increasing attention in the field of waste heat healing. When there is a temperature distinction at the 2 ends of thermoelectric products, a thermoelectromotive force is created within the material, therefore accomplishing the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy.Emerging Applications of Thermoelectric MaterialsIn addition to utilization as electric generators, thermoelectric products have opened brand-new directions for catalysis over the last few years. The little temperature level gradient (<< 100 ° C) triggered by the prevalent heat in nature and industrial production provides enough driving force for catalytic reactions.This allows the reuse of low-grade waste heat resources to drive various catalysis procedures such as hydrogen production, organic synthesis, ecological filtration, and biomedical applications. It offers a brand-new service for improving energy utilization efficiency, energy conservation, emission decrease, and green catalysis.Working modes of TECatal systems: (a) hybrid structure mode, (b) single-phase mode, (c) P-N nanojunction mode, and (d) thermogalvanic cell mode. Potential applications of TECatal products in (e) H2 production and CO2 reduction, (f) tumor treatment, (g) automobile tail gas treatment, and (h) window glass finishing for indoor air purification. Credit: Science China PressAdvances and Future Prospects in ThermoelectrocatalysisBased on the recent advances in this emerging location, the group from the Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology at Jiangsu University, has proposed the conceptual application direction of thermoelectrocatalysis (TECatal) and methodically summarized existing thermoelectric catalytic materials and working modes. Four major working modes were suggested, consisting of hybrid structure mode, single-phase mode, P-N nanojunction mode, and thermogalvanic cell mode.The research study checks out ways to improve the performance of thermoelectric catalytic materials through optimization of thermoelectric homes, band engineering, microstructures, and stability. Additionally, the potential customers of thermoelectric catalytic products in areas such as green energy, tumor treatment, and ecological governance were proposed and discussed, supplying essential recommendations for the future development of this field.Reference: "Thermoelectrocatalysis: an emerging method for transforming waste heat into chemical energy" by Yuqiao Zhang, Shun Li, Jianming Zhang, Li-Dong Zhao, Yuanhua Lin, Weishu Liu and Federico Rosei, 25 January 2024, National Science Review.DOI: 10.1093/ nsr/nwae036.
