Electrochemical Effects in Thermoelectric Polymers

TitleElectrochemical Effects in Thermoelectric Polymers
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsW.B. Chang, H. Fang, J. Liu, C.M. Evans, B. Russ, B.C. Popere, S.N. Patel, M.L. Chabinyc, and R.A. Segalman
JournalACS MACRO LETTERS
Volume5
Pagination455-459
Date PublishedAPR
ISSN2161-1653
Abstract

Conductive polymers such as PEDOT:PSS hold great promise as flexible thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric power factor of PEDOT:PSS is small relative to inorganic materials because the Seebeck coefficient is small. Ion conducting materials have previously been demonstrated to have very large Seebeck coefficients, and a major advantage of polymers over inorganics is the high room temperature ionic conductivity. Notably, PEDOT:PSS demonstrates a significant but short-term increase in Seebeck coefficient which is attributed to a large ionic Seebeck contribution. By controlling whether electrochemistry occurs at the PEDOT:PSS/electrode interface, the duration of the ionic Seebeck enhancement can be controlled, and a material can be designed with long-lived ionic Seebeck enhancements.

DOI10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00054