Energy production results in a tremendous amount of waste heat. In an effort to more efficiently utilize dissipated heat, multilayer thin films, comprised of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), graphene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNT), were prepared using layer-by-layer assembly followed by heating in an inert atmosphere to degrade film constituents to varying degrees. PEDOT:PSS was used to stabilize graphene and DWNT in water for deposition. A 20 QL thin film, that is 20 nm thick, heated to 425 °C for 60 minutes exhibits a simultaneous increase in electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as compared to an unheated film. This behavior is not commonly observed in bulk thermoelectric materials. The power factor of this film is 168 uW m-1 K-2, which is an order of magnitude larger than the unheated control. This marked improvement in thermoelectric performance is the result of degrading the insulating PDDA:PSS complex from the film while maintaining the highly ordered conductive network formed during film deposition. This strategy of selective degradation of non-conductive material can be used to prepare numerous high performing thermoelectric materials.

Post-deposition thermal treatment improves thermoelectric performance of multilayer polymer nanocomposites

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.