A self-powered flexible sensor based on thermoelectric generation for NO₂ gas detection

ABSTRACT

Harmful gas leakage often occurs in the engine room of ocean-going ships. Among these harmful gases, NO₂ gas accounts for a high proportion. Generally, sensors for detecting NO₂ gas in the machinery space have problems such as small detection range, poor sensitivity, and poor stability. Therefore, we present a novel self-powered sensing prototype using electronic printing. This prototype consists of a flexible thermoelectric film and a flexible gas sensor. At 80K temperature difference, the maximum output voltage and power of the prototype reached 102.5 mv and 64.5μw, respectively. The prototype can charge the supercapacitor (5.5 V, 0.47uF) to 5.5 v in 10 minutes. The sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability of gas sensor in different concentration gas environment were studied. The results show that in the range of 20 -100 ppm, the detection current of NO₂ concentration curve is approximately linear. The prototype has good stability and repeatability. After 1,000 flexibility tests, the prototype still has high flexibility. After connecting the boost circuit, the prototype can drive the single chip microcomputer to realize the self-power supply and danger. This study provides a new way for the monitoring of harmful gases in the ship engine rooms.

KEYWORDS:

• Thermoelectrical generator
• flexible gas sensor
• flexible thermoelectric film
• electronic printing
• self-powered

Nomenclature

ZT	=	thermoelectric figure of merit
S	=	thermoelectric power or Seebeck coefficient
σ	=	conductivity
κ	=	coefficient of thermal conductivity
Tc	=	cold end temperature
Th	=	hot end temperature
Uo	=	output Voltage
Io	=	output Current
Rl	=	load Resistance
Pmax	=	maximum power output
R0	=	device resistance before flexibility test
R1	=	device resistance after flexibility test
In	=	gas sensor response current
F	=	farad
ppm	=	part per million
η	=	maximum energy conversion efficiency

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52271357), Innovation Group Project of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) (No.311021013).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Innovation Group Project of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) [No.311021013].