Synthesis, characterization and enhanced thermoelectric performance of structurally ordered cable-like novel polyaniline–bismuth telluride nanocomposite

Abstract

Bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) nanorods and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles have been synthesized by employing solvothermal and chemical oxidative processes, respectively. Nanocomposites, comprising structurally ordered PANI preferentially grown along the surface of a Bi₂Te₃ nanorods template, are synthesized using in situ polymerization. X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis and Raman spectral analysis confirm the highly ordered chain structure of PANI on Bi₂Te₃ nanorods, leading to a higher extent of doping, higher chain mobility and enhancement of the thermoelectric performance. Above 380 K, the PANI-Bi₂Te₃ nanocomposite with a core-shell/cable-like structure exhibits a higher thermoelectric power factor than either pure PANI or Bi₂Te₃. At room temperature the thermal conductivity of the composite is lower than that of its pure constituents, due to selective phonon scattering by the nanointerfaces designed in the PANI-Bi₂Te₃ nanocable structures. The figure of merit of the nanocomposite at room temperature is comparable to the values reported in the literature for bulk polymer-based composite thermoelectric materials.

Phosphorene nanoribbon as a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications

“…Among the investigated 7, 8, 9-APNR, we find that the 9-APNR exhibit the smallest Seebeck coefficient but the largest power factor ( n -type), which results from its much larger electrical conductivity as discussed above. The calculated electronic thermal conductivity ( κ e ) shown in Figure 6(c) has the same behavior as that of electrical conductivity since κ e is calculated by the Wiedemann-Franz law30 where the Lorentz number is set to 2.45 × 10 −8  WΩK −2 313233.…”

Polymer Composites for Thermoelectric Applications

“…[61] At the interface with Te NWs, PEDOT was highly ordered, and s increased compared to bulk PEDOT:PSS, while k remained low to give ZT values as high as 0.1, representing a distinct departure (improvement) from the simple mean-field model. [63] A redshift in polaron absorption was observed, as well as doubling of s and ZT relative to pristine polymer (11.6 S cm À1 and 0.004, and 7.8 S cm À1 and 0.002, respectively). [63] A redshift in polaron absorption was observed, as well as doubling of s and ZT relative to pristine polymer (11.6 S cm À1 and 0.004, and 7.8 S cm À1 and 0.002, respectively).…”

Review on Polymers for Thermoelectric Applications

“…Nanorods of Bi 2 Te 3 coated by PANI were created in order to generate a more ordered molecular arrangement of PANI. Thus, the electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power were enhanced with ZT = 0.0043 at room temperature [75]. PEDOT:PSS/Bi2Te3 composite films depict a maximum electrical conductivity of 421 S·cm − 1 with 10 wt% Bi 2 Te 3 corresponding to a PF = 9.9 µW·m − 1 ·K − 2 and ZT = 0.04 [76].…”