Theoretical studies of thermionic conversion of solar energy with graphene as emitter & collector

TL;DR

This paper presents theoretical analysis of thermionic energy conversion using engineered graphene as emitter and collector, highlighting its potential for efficient solar energy harnessing with optimized work functions and temperatures.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the efficiency of graphene-based thermionic converters with variable work functions and solar input parameters.

Findings

Engineered graphene can operate at high temperatures up to 4600 K.

Efficiency depends on work function difference, collector temperature, and solar input.

Potential to reduce reliance on silicon solar panels for energy conversion.

Abstract

Thermionic energy conversion (TEC) using nano materials is an emerging field of research. Graphene can stand high temperature as high as 4600 K in vacuum. Its work function can be engineered from its high value (for monolayer/bilayer) 4.6 eV to 3. 7 eV, 3.8 eV, 3.5 eV and 3.4 eV, through the use of K2CO3, Li2CO3, Rb2CO3, Cs2CO3 as shown by Kwon et al43 and to as low as 0.7 eV as shown by Yuan et al. Such remarkable property along with good electrical conductivity, high dielectric constant makes engineered graphene an ideal candidate to be used as both emitter and collector in a thermionic energy converter. Since large size parabolic trough solar concentrator is now available, there is a great possibility of harnessing solar energy efficiently and cost effectively, if complex functional relation of efficiency of solar energy conversion with solar insolation, area of solar concentrator, work functions (We, Wc) & temperatures, emissivity of emitter and collector, space charge control etc. can be understood clearly. Using modified Richardson-Dushman equation this work focuses on theoretical studies of these aspects, excluding the space charge control. What is necessary for high efficiency is good combination of (We, Wc), with a difference > 0.5 eV, proper collector temperature and high solar energy input. Such solar energy conversion would reduce the dependence on silicon solar panel and has great potential for future applications.