Dynamic Hydrogen‐Bond Networks Enable Long‐Lived Ionic Thermoelectric Materials With High Power Density

ABSTRACT Achieving a balance between high power density and long‐term operational stability remains a major challenge for ionic thermoelectric materials, with reported stable operation typically limited to under a week. To overcome this limitation, here we present a hydrogen‐bond network approach to regulate ion transport. By impregnating a hydroxyl‐functionalized ionic liquid (HOEtMIM:Cl) into a porous carbon scaffold, we fabricate a composite featuring a dynamic hydrogen‐bond network. This network not only facilitates ordered cation migration through carbon channels, markedly enhancing thermoelectric current and power density, but also effectively traps water molecules to improve environmental stability. Notably, the composite achieves a high thermopower of 26.9 mV K − 1 and a peak power density of 0.95 W m − 2 under a 20 K temperature difference. And it sustains stable operation for over 46 days without external energy storage. An integrated device built from this material can directly power small electronics such as thermohygrometers, demonstrating its practical potential for low‐grade waste‐heat recovery. This study establishes a new design paradigm for high‐performance, long‐lived ionic thermoelectric materials.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-04-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.75601
Primary Topic
Ionic liquids properties and applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Dynamic Hydrogen‐Bond Networks Enable Long‐Lived Ionic Thermoelectric Materials With High Power Density

Mingquan He, Yongli Zhou, Xinzhe Li, Yue Wang et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Ionic liquids properties and applications
article

Dynamic Hydrogen‐Bond Networks Enable Long‐Lived Ionic Thermoelectric Materials With High Power Density

Mingquan He, Yongli Zhou, Xinzhe Li, Yue Wang, Pengchi Zhang, Jing Li, Wei Fang, Liyuan Jiang, Mingyu Song, Jianyong Ouyang, Qiujian Le, Lijun Hu, Qian Huang, Zhe Li, Kuan Sun, Zhaoyu Chen
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving a balance between high power density and long‐term operational stability remains a major challenge for ionic thermoelectric materials, with reported stable operation typically limited to under a week. To overcome this limitation, here we present a hydrogen‐bond network approach to regulate ion transport. By impregnating a hydroxyl‐functionalized ionic liquid (HOEtMIM:Cl) into a porous carbon scaffold, we fabricate a composite featuring a dynamic hydrogen‐bond network. This network not only facilitates ordered cation migration through carbon channels, markedly enhancing thermoelectric current and power density, but also effectively traps water molecules to improve environmental stability. Notably, the composite achieves a high thermopower of 26.9 mV K − 1 and a peak power density of 0.95 W m − 2 under a 20 K temperature difference. And it sustains stable operation for over 46 days without external energy storage. An integrated device built from this material can directly power small electronics such as thermohygrometers, demonstrating its practical potential for low‐grade waste‐heat recovery. This study establishes a new design paradigm for high‐performance, long‐lived ionic thermoelectric materials.

Advanced Functional Materials
Chongqing University (CN), National University of Singapore (SG), University of South China (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Ionic liquids properties and applications
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