High-performance ionic thermoelectric materials and emerging applications of ionic thermoelectric devices

The recovery of low-level thermal energy, the conversion of solar thermal energy and the reuse of human thermal energy determine that thermoelectric materials are extremely attractive in terms of energy conversion and reuse. In recent years, as candidate materials for green energy conversion, ionic thermoelectric materials have gradually become research hotspots due to their excellent thermoelectric conversion performance, cost-effective energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. Although ionic thermoelectric materials and devices have developed rapidly in recent years, there are still gaps in the detailed summary of material performance optimization measures and device application scenarios. Therefore, this review compares and summarizes the performance of ionic thermoelectric materials and related influencing factors. After that, the application of ionic thermoelectric materials and the assembly of their devices are highlighted. Finally, the prospects for future development trends are put forward as well as the suggestions of related research efforts are presented.