Thermoelectric Properties of n-type PEDOT:PSS/Boron Phosphate Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In the present study, thermoelectric properties of composites formed by poly (3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene):poly (styrene-4-sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/boron phosphate (BPO4) were studied. First, BPO(4)was synthesized at 1000 degrees C using boric acid and phosphoric acid as precursors. Later, PEDOT:PSS was synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization reaction at room temperature. Their composites were prepared in different mass ratios by ultrasonic homogenization. The composites were characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis.), attenuated total reflection accessory attached Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX). The power factor of the sample was obtained using the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements. The positive sign of Seebeck coefficient of the pristine PEDOT:PSS turned to the negative, which is the characteristic ofn-typematerial, by addition of BPO4. The power factor of PEDOT:PSS was increased from 0.03 mu Wm(-1) K-2 to 252 mu Wm(-1) K-2 for the composite containing 25% BPO4 by weight. This indicates that BPO4 can be a good additive to preparen-typeTE material. Graphic