Recent progress in 3D printing of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric materials and devices

Abstract

With growing concerns about the depletion of fossil fuels and climate change, there is an urgent global demand for the development of sustainable and renewable energy sources. The thermoelectric technology, which converts waste heat into electricity, presents a unique opportunity to ensure a sustainable electric supply and enhance energy efficiency without incurring additional costs. Recently, the utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology for fabricating thermoelectric materials has attracted tremendous interest because of the simplicity of design of power generators and the potential for economical manufacturing. This study focuses on research related to Bi2Te3 thermoelectric materials produced using 3D printing, and it highlights the fundamental principles, advantages, challenges, and recent remarkable advancements associated with this manufacturing approach. Furthermore, we explored various device applications, including shape-conformable wearable, and micro devices with printed thermoelectric materials. Finally, we discuss the promising research directions and prospects for industrialization in 3D-printed thermoelectric materials.