Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics
Abstract The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and e...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55279-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and evaporation of metal (Ag or Cu) for thermoelectric layers when using Selective Metallization Technique. Large-scale manufacturing is demonstrated through roll-to-roll processing of a 0.8 m wide polymer web at 25 m/min, achieving high-throughput production of functional thin-film patterns with nanometer thickness. The room-temperature-deposited material system exhibits significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance and facilitates an n-type-to-p-type transition in the Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te-based composite film. Here, we show that while applying Selective Metallization Technique, the evaporation of metal modifies the impact of residual oil on Bi-Sb-Te, which can be effectively removed with a few seconds of plasma exposure, and the fabricated thermoelectric devices are validated in wearable applications utilizing a coiled-up wristband design. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |