Inkjet-printed flexible organic thin-film thermoelectric devices based on p- and n-type poly(metal 1,1,2,2-ethenetetrathiolate)s/polymer composites through ball-milling

Abstract

In this article, we put forward a simple method for the synthesis of thermoelectric (TE) composite materials. Both n- and p-type composites were obtained by ball-milling the insoluble and infusible metal coordination polymers with other polymer solutions. The particle size, film morphology and composition were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The TE properties of the drop-cast composite film were measured at different temperatures. An inkjet-printed flexible device was fabricated and the output voltage and short-circuit current at various hot-side temperatures ( T hot ) and temperature gradients (Δ T ) were tested. The composite material not only highly maintained the TE properties of the pristine material but also greatly improved its processability. This method can be extended to other insoluble and infusible TE materials for solution-processed flexible TE devices.

Flexible thermoelectric materials and device optimization for wearable energy harvesting

“…The techniques applied to fabricate flexible thermoelectric devices in literature include screen printing [21,[82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89], inkjet printing [20,[90][91][92][93][94][95], molding [96,97], and lithography [14,98].…”

Flexible Thermoelectric Materials and Generators: Challenges and Innovations

“…In terms of interconnection resistances, the selection of interconnection materials needs to be carefully considered as these should exhibit both high σ and κ to minimize transfer resistance and maintain temperature gradient. Metals have been considered as the ideal candidates, where Cu and Ag are frequently employed . As for contact resistance, their minimization can be realized by evaporating good ohmic contact layers between the TE materials and interconnections.…”

Progress in Polymer Thermoelectrics

“…To solve the above-mentioned problem, many researchers tried to obtain diferent composite materials on the basis of these polymers and another compound-poly(vinylidene luoride) (PVDF) solution [69], 1-butyl(or decyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetraluoroborate [70], and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide [71]. It results in great improvement of its processability, but TE properties of such material decrease dramatically, especially the electrical conductivity.…”

“…Usually [8,56], both steps are carried out in methanol, and both with relux. After that, the inal product is modiied to obtain lexible composites [69][70][71]. But carrying out the polymerization reaction in N-methylformamide (NMF)-methanol medium under certain temperature conditions allows obtaining of the product as a paste with controllable viscosity.…”