Pyrite Bismuth Telluride Heterojunction for Hybrid Electromagnetic to Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting

Karthik R; Yiwen Zheng; Caique Campos de Oliveira; Punathil Raman Sreeram; Pedro Alves da Silva Autreto; Aniruddh Vashisth; Chandra Sekhar Tiwary

arXiv · 2505.07732

Pyrite Bismuth Telluride Heterojunction for Hybrid Electromagnetic to Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting

Karthik R·Yiwen Zheng·Caique Campos de Oliveira·Punathil Raman Sreeram·Pedro Alves da Silva Autreto·Aniruddh Vashisth·Chandra Sekhar Tiwary

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Abstract

The rapid proliferation of wireless networks and connected devices has led to pervasive electromagnetic (EM) energy dissipation into the environment, an underutilized resource for energy harvesting. Here, we demonstrate a pyrite (FeS$_2$)-bismuth telluride (Bi$_2$Te$_3$) heterojunction that enables hybrid electromagnetic-to-thermoelectric energy conversion. Fabricated via a simple cold-press compaction of powders, the heterojunction forms a Schottky interface at FeS$_2$, facilitating efficient RF absorption and localized heating. This heat is harvested by Bi$_2$Te$_3$ through thermoelectric conversion. Under 35~MHz RF irradiation at 1~W input power, the device achieved a local temperature rise of 46~$^\circ$C and a thermal gradient of 5.5~K across the Bi$_2$Te$_3$, resulting in a peak power density of approximately 13~mW/cm$^2$. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations further elucidate the heat transport behavior and interfacial thermoelectric performance. This work introduces a new class of heterostructures for RF-responsive energy harvesting, offering a scalable route toward self-powered IoT and wireless sensing systems.

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Karthik R, Yiwen Zheng, Caique Campos de Oliveira, Punathil Raman Sreeram, Pedro Alves da Silva Autreto, Aniruddh Vashisth, Chandra Sekhar Tiwary. 2025-05-12. Pyrite Bismuth Telluride Heterojunction for Hybrid Electromagnetic to Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting. https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.07732

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