Advances in Carbon-Based Flexible Thermoelectric Materials: Challenges, Prospects, and Applications for Wearable Power Solutions

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes have garnered a lot of attention lately due to their exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. These properties make them desirable candidates for developing flexible, highly effective, and affordable thermoelectric devices. These special materials are distinguished by their exceptional electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and changeable band gaps, effectively transforming heat into electrical energy. Carbon-based, thermoelectric materials are more appealing because of their inherent benefits, which include their abundance, non-toxicity, and appropriateness for solution processing. With wearable technology becoming increasingly ingrained in daily life, these features indicate a promising future for continuous power provision. Improving heat transfer efficiency and their power-generating capacities are major obstacles. The sev-eral kinds of flexible thermoelectric materials, including flexible films, fibers, textiles, polymers, and composites, are thoroughly examined. There are several options for upgrading these materials. Opti-mizing interfacial transport mechanisms, striking a healthy balance between flexibility and thermoe-lectric performance, and developing three-dimensional textile devices are all critical areas of study. Furthermore, research into thermoelectric uses in recycling processes and biodegradable materials might lead to more sustainable solutions. These efforts will be essential in developing adaptable wear-able technologies that are not only efficient but also ecologically beneficial. Addressing these diffi-culties has the potential to dramatically improve the future of thermoelectric technology, creating new paths for energy generation and creative uses in a variety of industries.