Thermoelectric composites of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and carbon nanotubes with a large power factor

Abstract

Composite films of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and single- as well as multi-walled carbon nanotubes are demonstrated to offer a competitive thermoelectric performance. The power factor significantly exceeds values obtained with either constituent alone provided that the conjugated polymer is sufficiently p-doped. The use of single-walled carbon nanotubes consistently results in a higher electrical conductivity with a maximum value above 10(3) S cm(-1) and thus gives rise to a power factor of 25 +/- 6 mu W m(-1) K-2 for a filler content of only 8 wt% and a maximum 95 +/- 12 mu W m(-1) K-2 for 42-81 wt%. Moreover, a carbon nanotube content of 8-10 wt% does not compromise the low bulk thermal conductivity of the polymer matrix, which promises a high figure of merit of at least ZT > 10(-2) at room-temperature. All samples are cast on plastic substrates, emphasising their suitability for large-area, flexible thermoelectric applications