Surface-state-constrained topological insulator Bi2Te3 nanorods for electromagnetic wave trapping and conversion into electricity

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.03.102

Abstract

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves have potential application prospects in wireless power transmission. However, the performance of existing electromagnetic wave converting materials is constrained by inherent limitations, which renders them insufficient to meet the demand of wireless energy transmission. Herein, we report topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ nanorods for converting electromagnetic waves into electricity, taking advantage of surface-state-constrained electrical transport characteristics and thermoelectric conversion capacity. Surface-state-constrained electrical transport characteristics endow the metastructure composed of Bi₂Te₃ nanorods with excellent microwave absorption performance, with an effective absorbing bandwidth of 13.3 GHz and a minimum reflection loss of -57 dB at a thickness of 5.3 mm thickness. Depending on the favorable conductivity, quantum confinement effect and phonon scattering of the nanorod structure, Bi₂Te₃ nanorods exhibit outstanding thermoelectric conversion performance at 573 K (ZT = 1.12), suggesting the feasibility for compatible excellent microwave absorbing and thermoelectric properties with a single material. This work provides a promising solution to the application of electromagnetic waves in wireless power supply.

Key words: Bi₂Te₃ nanorods, Topological insulators, Microwave absorption, Electromagnetic wave trapping

Xue-Hao Liu, Jia-Ning Cai, Jun-Ying Zhang, Pei-Yan Zhao, Guang-Sheng Wang, Song Bi, Zhi-Ling Hou. Surface-state-constrained topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ nanorods for electromagnetic wave trapping and conversion into electricity[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 244: 149-155.

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Surface-state-constrained topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ nanorods for electromagnetic wave trapping and conversion into electricity

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