Hybrid nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ordered polyaniline (PANI) have been prepared through an in situ polymerization reaction using a single-walled nanotube (SWNT) as template and aniline as reactant. TEM, SEM, XRD, and Raman analyses show that the polyaniline grew along the surface of CNTs forming an ordered chain structure during the SWNT-directed polymerization process. The SWNT/PANI nanocomposites show both higher electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as compared to pure PANI, which could be attributed to the enhanced carrier mobility in the ordered chain structures of the PANI. The maximum electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of composites reach 1.25 x 10(4) S m(-1) and 40 microV K(-1), respectively, and the maximum power factor is up to 2 x 10(-5) W m(-1) K(-2), more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than the pure polyaniline. This study suggests that constructing highly ordered chain structure is a novel and effective way for improving the thermoelectric properties of conducting polymers.

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Bismuth sulfide thin films have been assembled by cross-linkage nanorods on surface-functionalized Si substrate with self-assembled monolayers. Results of transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction revealed that highly crystalline Bi2S3 nanorods grow along c-axis direction. Electrical transport properties including resistivity (0.02Ωcm), thermopower (−755μVK−1), and carrier mobilities (1100cm2V−1s−1) of the Bi2S3 films at 300K are found superior to those of previously reported Bi2S3 samples. The Bi2S3 films exhibit a maximum thermoelectric power factor (3.97×10−3Wm−1K−2) at 450K. The enhancement of thermoelectric properties mainly originates from highly crystalline and oriented nanostructures embedded in the Bi2S3 films.