New high mechanically flexible and bendable nanocomposite Ag@NCDots/PEDOT:PSS/PVA films with high thermoelectric power performance and generator

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) 2021-06, Vol.226, p.123792, Article 123792
• Main Authors: Al Naim, Abdullah F., Ibrahim, Sobhy S., El-Shamy, Ahmed gamal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carrier density; Carrier mobility; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Nanocomposites; NCDots nanoparticles; Nitrogen; PEDOT:PSS; PVA; Room temperature; Silver; Silver nanoparticles; Tensile strength; Thermoelectric generators; Thermoelectric materials; Thermoelectricity
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123792

In this literature, we have successfully designed novel silver decorated nitrogen doped carbon dots/poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulphonate)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (Ag@NCDots/PEDOT:PSS/PVA) nano-composite films for thermoelectric applications. The anisotropic (in plane//and through plane ⊥) thermoelectric functions are briefly studied, however we have focused on the through plane thermoelectric functions. It was found that both σ⊥ and σ//values increase with increasing the Ag@NCDots to be σ⊥ = 181.7 ± 11 S/cm and σ//= 287.4 ± 19 S/cm at 8 wt%, thanks to the creation of conductive paths inside the films and the increment in both carrier mobility and carrier concentration. Although k//~1.8k⊥ was achieved at 8 wt% of Ag@NCDots, the films showed an under control behavior for k⊥ with a value (0.195 W/mK) due to the creation of a gaseous atmosphere of nitrogen which occupies the defects and voids in the nano-composite. S//and S⊥ values increase and the value of S⊥ (77.5 ± 1.7 μV/K) has been achieved at 8 wt% of Ag@NCDots. The PF⊥ ~109.20 ± 4 μV/mK2 and a ZT⊥ ~0.148 have been achieved at a minute concentration of Ag@NCDots (8 wt%) at room temperature. PF//shows higher values than PF⊥ because σ//is higher than σ⊥, while ZT//shows a smaller value than that in ZT⊥ at 8 wt% of Ag@NCDots as k⊥ is lower than k//. The films exhibited a much higher tensile strength (127.8 MPa) than PEDOT:PSS/PVA (42.2 MPa) and Young's modulus (1.52 GPa) larger than PEDOT:PSS/PVA (0.29 GPa) at the 8 wt% of Ag@NCDots, proving the excellent properties of this nano-composite for thermoelectric applications. 12 legs flexible thermoelectric generator has been engineered with an ability to generate an output voltage of (Voutput = 15.12 mV) at a ΔT = 16 K. Finally, this nano-composite has a promising functional application as a flexible thermal sensor and wearable thermoelectric generators thanks to its unique properties and easy reproducibility. [Display omitted] •Ag@NCDos/PEDOT:PSS/PVA nanocomposite films were synthesized for thermoelectric application.•The anisotropic (in plane//and through plane ⊥) thermoelectric functions have been studied.•Ag@NCDos/PEDOT:PSS/PVA nanocomposite showed under control through plane thermal conductivity.•PEDOT:PSS/NC@Te showed a k∥ ˃ k⊥ with an under control k⊥ behavior with k = 0.19 W/mK.•The S⊥ = 77.5 ± 1.7 μV/K, PF⊥ = 109.20 ± 4 μV/mK2 and zT⊥ ~0.148 were achieved at a very small NC (8 wt%) at R.T.