Substrate Modification for High‐Performance Thermoelectric Materials and Generators Based on Polymer and Carbon Nanotube Composite

Abstract

Polymer and carbon nanotube composites have aroused extensive attention for thermoelectric materials owing to the combination of low thermal conductivity of polymer and high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes. Surface properties of the substrate are of great importance for the charge transport behaviors of semiconducting thin films, which are less explored in thermoelectric applications. Herein, self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) are used to modify the substrate for thermoelectric polymer composites. The trifluoromethyl (CF3)‐terminated SAM is beneficial for an improved electrical conductivity; while the SAM with amino group is found to improve their Seebeck coefficient and decrease the electrical conductivity. As a result, polymer composites on CF3‐SAM‐modified substrate show a high room‐temperature power factor of 285 µW m−1 K−2 and a large output power of 2.36 µW for thermoelectric generator at a temperature gradient of 50 K. This work demonstrates that surface modification by SAMs is a promising strategy for improving performance of thermoelectric materials and devices.

Wearable Thermoelectric Generators: Materials, Structures, Fabrications, and Applications

“…[ 75 ] Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as conductive fillers, have been examined as good components to improve the TE performances of polymer‐based composite due to the remarkable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. [ 91,92 ] Both multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single‐/double‐walled carbon nanotubes (S/DWCNTs) have been applied to improve the TE performances of polymers but the latter ones exhibit better performances in enhancements of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. [ 75 ] CNTs can be combined with different polymers (such as PEDOT, P3HT, PANI, PPY, and polyethylenimine (PEI)) to achieve high ZT values and the reported ZT values of these TE composites can achieve 0.5 at room temperature, which is rather high compared with conductive polymers without other components.…”

Enhancement in the Thermoelectric Performance of SnS Monolayer by Strain Engineering

“…These generators can be integrated into microelectronics/nanoelectronics and other small devices to convert heat generated by the device into electricity, thereby reducing the need for external power sources. Recently, the experimental development of semiconducting Te monolayer has been discussed in the field of field-effect transistors and electronics by Qiu et al, and self-assembled monolayers have been used to modify the substrate for thermoelectric polymers, improving the power factor by 1.5 times . Similarly, monolayer SnS has the potential to play a significant role in the field of thermoelectric energy conversion.…”

“…Recently, the experimental development of semiconducting Te monolayer has been discussed in the field of field-effect transistors and electronics by Qiu et al, 29 and self-assembled monolayers have been used to modify the substrate for thermoelectric polymers, improving the power factor by 1.5 times. 30 Similarly, monolayer SnS has the potential to play a significant role in the field of thermoelectric energy conversion. With further research and development, it could provide innovative solutions for energy conversion and storage.…”

Phase separation patterned films of natural materials: Preparation of mixed monolayers of nanocellulose integrates and organo‐modified nanoclays

“…However, many natural clays have high aspect ratio 18 with a thickness of 1 nm and a width reaching the micron level, enable wide areal coverage with a small amount when used as a thin film. Additionally, nanoclay is commonly used as a filler in polymer composite materials 19 and can improve the mechanical properties of polymers with only a small amount of addition 20 . Recently, various treatment techniques have been explored, such as improving the filtration rate of bentonite suspensions 21 and its effect as a coagulant 22 …”