N-Type Flexible Films and a Thermoelectric Generator of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Grafted Tin Selenide Nanocrystal Composites

Despite the significant progress in thermoelectric composites in recent years, the enhancement of thermoelectric performance is mainly based on weak interfacial interactions, although strong interactions (such as covalent-bonding grafting) are expected to display a more significant effect. In this study, the thermoelectric composites are prepared using a covalent-bond grafting method between tin selenide (SnSe) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a simple solvothermal process. The as-prepared highly flexible composite film shows an n-type thermoelectric characteristic. An optimized power factor of 58.86 mu W m(-1) K-2 at room temperature has been realized for the composite film with 16 wt % SWCNT loading. Finally, a flexible thermoelectric generator (TEG) consisting of three couples of p/n films is assembled, which can generate an open-circuit voltage of 15.55 mu V and a maximum output power of 1.38 mu W at a temperature gradient of 60 K. The results open a new avenue for the fabrication of n-type flexible films and TEG based on covalent-bonding-grafted composites and will benefit the design strategy of high-performance thermoelectric composites and flexible TEGs.

Automated summary

The study prepared thermoelectric composites using a covalent-bond grafting method between tin selenide and single-walled carbon nanotubes, achieving an optimized power factor and assembling a flexible thermoelectric generator, opening a new avenue for the design of high-performance thermoelectric composites and flexible TEGs.