3. Conclusions
In summary, we developed the PTEH-Interlocking cells to achieve efficient photo-thermo-electric conversion. The PA-PEI-Fe photothermal film formed at in situ thermo-electric hydrogels via the assembly of PA and PEI with the [Fe(CN)6]3−oxidation. The interlocking structure at the interface triggered rapid heat transfer. The increasing redox entropy via [Fe(CN)6]3− oxidation of PA and PEI as well as high thermal conductivity at the interface due to the interlocking structure induce a higher Seebeck coefficient. The as-prepared PTEH-Interlocking cells enable to high-efficiency harvest energy from solar light and achieve “solar-thermal-electricity” conversion. As a practical illustration, In a “smart house,” a mechanical sensor successfully employed a solar-powered PTEH-Interlocking device as its energy source. This work provides an insight for designing the photo-thermo-electric integration cells as sustainable power sources in the internet of things.