Electrochemically reduced graphene porous material as light absorber for light-driven thermoelectric generator

Chemically converted graphene-room temperature ionic liquid (CCG-RTIL) porous materials were prepared by electrochemical reducing graphene oxide followed by solvent exchange. The resulted CCG-RTIL materials possess 3D porous structure with textured surface, and show good stability in air. Under laser irradiation the temperature of CCG-RTIL materials increased rapidly and significantly, indicating the high photothermal conversion ability of these materials. The influence of CCG-RTIL thickness on the photothermal conversion performance was investigated. These CCG-RTIL materials were used as light absorbers to modify thermoelectric devices, forming light-driven thermoelectric generators, and significantly enhanced the performance of these devices. This work suggests that CCG-RTIL porous materials prepared by this electrochemical method are promising light absorbers for solar electric generation and other photo-thermo-electric conversion devices.