A synthetic approach for enhanced thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS bulk composites

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS/Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 polymer/inorganic bulk composites with different Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 content were investigated. The composites were prepared at various concentrations of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 by a solution-phase process before grinding to fine powders in liquid N2 for hot pressing into bulk polymer composite materials. The measured transport properties are well described within a theoretical model for effective media involving a tunneling mechanism induced by thermal voltage fluctuations. Our results present a strategy for the preparation of bulk polymer composites and demonstrate an avenue for optimization of the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS/Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 bulk composites.