Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance in Polypyrrole-Based Multilayer Nanoarchitectures via Thermal Reduction

Mario Culebras, You Young Byun, Junho Jang, Tae Kwon Lee, Dongwhi Choi, Aleksandra Serafin, Maurice N. Collins, Jung Sang Cho, Chungyeon Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this study, cationic polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy:NPs) are synthesized in a water-based solution in order to serve as a template that facilitates the formation of flexible hierarchical structures, ultimately resulting in improved thermoelectric (TE) performance. A unique multilayered structure is fabricated by alternately depositing positively charged PPy:NPs and negatively charged double-walled carbon nanotube-graphene oxide (DWNT-GO) suspensions via layer-by-layer deposition. The resulting polymer/carbon composite, consisting of a 16-bilayer PPy:NPs/DWNT-GO with a thickness of approximately 2.45 μm, exhibited an electrical conductivity of 1.36 S/cm and a Seebeck coefficient of 84 μV/K, yielding a power factor of 0.96 μW/m·K2. A thermal reduction process at 175 °C for 90 min significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity (183.2 S/cm) and Seebeck coefficient (115 μV/K), resulting in a remarkable power factor of 242.2 μW/m·K2. This is one of the highest values ever reported for PPy-based organic TE materials. The outstanding TE properties can be attributed to the creation of a highly organized three-dimensional conjugated network after thermal reduction, which promotes carrier transport within the multilayers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2351-2361
Number of pages11
JournalACS Applied Energy Materials
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Mar 2024

Keywords

  • carbon nanotubes
  • graphene oxide
  • layer-by-layer assembly
  • polypyrrole
  • thermoelectric power factor

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