Enhancement Effect of the C₆₀ Derivative on the Thermoelectric Properties of n-Type Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Films

Abstract

Obtaining air-stable and high-performance flexible n-type single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based thermoelectric films used in wearable electronic devices is a challenge. In this work, the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of n-type SWCNTbased films have been optimized via doping C 60 and its derivative into polyethylenimine/ single-walled carbon nanotube (PEI/SWCNT) films. The result demonstrated that the dispersity of triethylene glycol-modified C 60 (TEG-C 60 ) was better in PEI/SWCNT films than that of pure C 60 . Among the prepared composite films, TEG-C 60 -doped PEI/SWCNT (TEG-C 60 /PEI/SWCNT) films exhibited the highest TE performance, achieving a peak electrical conductivity of 923 S cm −1 with a Seebeck coefficient of −42 μV K −1 at a TEG-C 60 /SWCNT mass ratio of 1:100. Compared to that of PEI/SWCNT, the power factor was increased significantly from 40 to 162 μW m −1 K −2 after the addition of TEG-C 60 , which was higher than that of films after the addition of C 60 . In addition, the n-type doped SWCNT films had good air stability at high temperatures, and the Seebeck coefficients of C 60 /PEI/SWCNT and TEG-C 60 /PEI/SWCNT at 120 °C were still negative and remained at 92% and 85%, respectively, after 20 days. Furthermore, a flexible TE device consisting of five pairs of p−n junctions was assembled using the optimum hybrid film, which generated a maximum output power of 3.6 μW at a temperature gradient of 50.2 K. Therefore, this study provides a facile way to enhance the thermoelectric properties of n-type carbon nanotube-based materials, which have potential application in flexible power generators.

Architected C70/Graphene Oxide Composites Prepared under Continuous Flow in a Vortex Fluidic Device: Implications for Supercapacitors

“…Fabricating and controlling the morphology of composite nanomaterials based on fullerene and graphene oxide (GO) formed through self-assembly have recently received considerable attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties. − Such composite materials alone involving the interplay of GO and fullerenes have been successfully demonstrated in a wide range of application including in biomedicine, semiconductors, optics, electronics, and spintronics. − …”

N-type silver ammonia-polyethyleneimine/single-walled carbon nanotube composite films with enhanced thermoelectric properties

“…The results demonstrated a high activity of PEI, which can easily absorb H 2 O and CO 2 from the air, causing failure of n-type doping. [26][27][28] Currently, the air stability of PEI/SWCNT faces improvement issues. It is anticipated that appropriately reducing the activity of PEI might be beneficial for improving the air stability of PEI/SWCNT.…”