Vacuum filtration method towards flexible thermoelectric films

Book excerpt: Thermoelectric (TE) conversion technology can directly exploit the temperature difference of several Kelvin between the human body and the environment to generate electricity, which provides a self-powered solution for wearable electronics. Flexible TE materials are increasingly being developed through various methods, among which the vacuum filtration method stands out for its unique advantages, attracting the favor of researchers. It has been proven to construct flexible TE thin films with excellent performance effectively. This paper presents a comprehensive overview and survey of the advances of the vacuum filtration method in producing flexible TE thin films. The materials covered in this study include conducting polymer-based materials, carbon nanoparticle-based materials, inorganic materials, two-dimensional materials, and ternary composites. Finally, we explore potential research outlooks and the significance of flexible films, which are at the forefront of research in TE materials science.