DATE2026.01.21 #Press Releases
New Molecular Design Guidelines for Generating Electricity from Temperature Differences
-Demonstration of the Correlation Between the “Strength” and “Disorder” of Hydrogen Bonds in Electrolyte Solutions-
Summary
A research group led by Professor Teppei Yamada and Assistant Professor Hongyao Zhou of the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, has clarified key molecular structural features that enhance the voltage generated from temperature differences, as well as the effects of solvent additives in the electrolyte, for redox-active materials used in thermogalvanic cells. Thermogalvanic cells have recently attracted attention for their potential to generate electricity from low-grade waste heat and body heat .
In this study, the researchers focused on the enthalpy and entropy of hydrogen bonds formed between redox-active materials and solvent additives in thermogalvanic cell electrolytes. Using temperature-dependent electrochemical measurements, they quantitatively evaluated these two thermodynamic parameters and demonstrated that hydrogen-bond enthalpy and entropy exhibit a linear correlation. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations revealed that redox molecules with larger hydrogen-bond enthalpies possess electron-donating substituents on their π-conjugated planes, in good agreement with the experimental results. These findings are expected to provide useful guidelines for future molecular design of thermogalvanic cells.
Figure：The strength of hydrogen bonds formed between an alcohol and a quinone molecule is correlated with the disorder induced by this bonding in thermogalvanic cells.
Journals
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Journal name Journal of the American Chemical SocietyTitle of paper