Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanoparticles as Building Blocks for Hybrid Thermoelectric Flexible Films

Hybrid thermoelectric flexible films based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes were prepared by using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The employed PEDOT nanoparticles were synthesized by oxidative miniemulsion polymerization by using iron(III) <i>p<...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jose F. Serrano-Claumarchirant, Mario Culebras, Andrés Cantarero, Clara M. Gómez, Rafael Muñoz-Espí
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-12-01
Series:Coatings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/1/22
Description
Summary:Hybrid thermoelectric flexible films based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes were prepared by using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The employed PEDOT nanoparticles were synthesized by oxidative miniemulsion polymerization by using iron(III) <i>p</i>-toluenesulfonate hexahydrate (FeTos) as an oxidant and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) as stabilizer. Sodium deoxycholate (DOC) was used as a stabilizer to prepare the aqueous dispersions of the carbon nanotubes. Hybrid thermoelectric films were finally prepared with different monomer/oxidant molar ratios and different types of carbon nanotubes, aiming to maximize the power factor (PF). The use of single-wall (SWCNT), double-wall (DWCNT), and multiwall (MWCNT) carbon nanotubes was compared. The Seebeck coefficient was measured by applying a temperature difference between the ends of the film and the electrical conductivity was measured by the Van der Pauw method. The best hybrid film in this study exhibited a PF of 72 &#181;W m<sup>&#8722;1</sup>K<sup>&#8722;2</sup>. These films are prepared from aqueous dispersions with relatively low-cost materials and, due to lightweight and flexible properties, they are potentially good candidates to recover waste heat in wearable electronic applications.
ISSN:2079-6412