Capturing Waste Heat Energy with Charge-Transfer Organic Thermoelectrics

Abstract

Electrically conducting organic salts, known for over 60 years, have recently demonstrated new abilities to convert waste heat directly into electrical power via the thermoelectric effect. Multiple opportunities are emerging for new structure–property relationships and for new materials to be obtained through synthetic organic chemistry. This review highlights key aspects of this field, which is complementary to current efforts based on polymeric, nanostructured or inorganic thermoelectric materials and indicates opportunities whereby mainstream organic chemists can contribute.1 What Are Thermoelectrics? And Why Use Them?2 Current Organic and Hybrid Thermoelectrics3 Unique Materials from Tetrathiotetracenes4 Synthesis of Tetrathiotetracenes5 Materials and Device Applications6 Future Perspectives