Self‐Reaction Effect‐Boosted Liquid Thermocell Based on Ethanol‐Aqueous Biphasic System

Abstract

AbstractLow‐grade heat (<100 °C) energy sources possess considerable untapped potential for sustainable power generation. Liquid thermocells (LTCs) represent an innovative solution to convert low‐grade heat into electricity. The performance of LTCs relies on the combined effects of the Seebeck coefficient (Se), electrical conductivity (σeff), and thermal conductivity (κeff). While previous studies have predominantly focused on enhancing Se and σeff, κeff has received limited attention. Therefore, in this study, an electrochemically active biphasic liquid thermocell (EAB‐LTC) composed of ferrocene (Fc) and in an ethanol‐aqueous biphasic system is proposed. The self‐reaction of the redox couple enhances Se, while the biphasic nature of the system suppresses thermal convection, resulting in reduced κeff. Compared to the conventional single‐phase LTC utilizing / , the Se is increased by nearly threefold, accompanied by a more than threefold enhancement in output power. The application of the EAB‐LTC module is successfully demonstrated in powering electronic devices, thereby establishing a novel pathway for advancing high‐performance LTCs and presenting a promising approach toward achieving carbon neutrality.