Efficient solar-driven photothermoelectric generator facilitated by carbon dots aggregates

The energy crisis is a significant issue that the world is facing in the 21st century. Thermoelectric energy transfer emerges as a promising solution that can convert heat energy into electric energy. However, there remains a big challenge that the efficient utilization of light energy to achieve continuous electricity ultimately. The red emitting carbon dots ( RCDs ) could self-assemble into the aggregates ( ARCDs ) via cooperative solvophobic effect combined with hydrogen bonding interaction, which exhibits considerably enhanced absorption with excellent photothermal conversion effect (PCE ≈ 62%) compared to its dispersed state. Moreover, these aggregates were then loaded onto semiconductors to create solar-driven photothermoelectric generator ( LHE ), with unprecedented output efficiency (V output ≈ 5000 mV, I output ≈ 25 mA, and P output ≈ 123 mW), which can easily charge smartphones outdoors. This work offers a supramolecular chemistry perspective for the construction of CDs aggregates and presents an sustainable approach towards achieving continuous photothermoelectric energy transfer. Collective Sparks Ignite Brighter Flames: Solar-driven CDs aggregates enable efficient photothermal conversion, combined with thermoelectric materials to achieve continuous light-heat-electricity energy transfer—offering a practical approach to address energy challenges. • Continuous energy transmission driven by solar energy is a sustainable approach. • Effectively integrate thermoelectric and photothermal energy transmission. • Offer supramolecular chemical insight for the construction of assemblies via CDs. • Give an idea for comprehending CDs assembly behavior and core-shell structure.