title: High Thermoelectric Power Factor Organic Thin Films through Combination of Nanotube Multilayer Assembly and Electrochemical Polymerization.
abstract: In an effort to produce effective thermoelectric nanocomposites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), layer-by-layer assembly was combined with electrochemical polymerization to create synergy that would produce a high power factor. Nanolayers of MWCNT stabilized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) or sodium deoxycholate were alternately deposited from water. Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) [PEDOT] was then synthesized electrochemically by using this MWCNT-based multilayer thin film as the working electrode. Microscopic images show a homogeneous distribution of PEDOT around the MWCNT. The electrical resistance, conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (S) were measured before and after the PEDOT polymerization. A 30 bilayer MWCNT film (<1 μm thick) infused with PEDOT is shown to achieve a power factor (PF = S2σ) of 155 μW/m K2, which is the highest value ever reported for a completely organic MWCNT-based material and competitive with lead telluride at room temperature. The ability of this MWCNT-PEDOT film to generate power was demonstrated with a cylindrical thermoelectric generator that produced 5.5 μW with a 30 K temperature differential. This unique nanocomposite, prepared from water with relatively inexpensive ingredients, should open up new opportunities to recycle waste heat in portable/wearable electronics and other applications where low weight and mechanical flexibility are needed.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Science Institute, University of Valencia , PO Box 22085, 46071 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Culebras
authors.forename: Chungyeon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krecker
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Yixuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Institute, University of Valencia , Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjasot, Spain.
authors.forename: Clara M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Molecular Science Institute, University of Valencia , PO Box 22085, 46071 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1999-4933
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cantarero
authors.forename: Jaime C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5241-9741
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Grunlan
keywords: carbon nanotubes; electrochemical polymerization; layer-by-layer assembly; polymer nanocomposites; power factor; thermoelectric