The Effect of Copper Coating on the Hot-Side on the Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator Using the Electroforming Method

Increasing the ability to harvest thermal energy on the hot-side of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) module is a challenge for researchers to increase the electrical conductivity of the module. This study aims to increase the absorption of solar heat on the TEG module by adding carbon and copper layers with the electroforming method. The ultimate goal is to increase the electrical energy generated by TEG. The process of adding carbon by painting, while the copper layer by dyeing. The voltage during immersion varied from 2.5, 3, and 3.5 Volt with copper plating durations of 30, 45, and 60 minutes. The results show an increasing trend of solar thermal absorption during testing under the hot sun. The longer it is immersed in the copper layer, the greater the output power of the TEG module. The safe immersion of the module for 45 minutes in Cu solution brought the best positive effect. As a comparison, the output power produced by the TEG module without copper coating is only about 0.000025 Watt for a light intensity of 881.67 Watt/m2 . After coating, the power generated was increased by 25.1 times at the same intensity. Measurements of temperature and power generated are measured by applying the LabVIEW software application from National Instrument.