Thermoelectric Properties of Conductive Freestanding Films Prepared from PEDOT:PSS Aqueous Dispersion and Ionic Liquids

In t h i s s t u d y, f r e e s t a n d i n g p o l y ( 3, 4 ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) films modified with an ionic liquid (IL) were synthesized assuming modulization. These films were easily peeled off the glass substrate in water, producing hydrophobic and flexible freestanding films that exhibited extremely high mechanical strengths. The thermoelectric properties of the IL-doped PEDOT:PSS films depended on the amount of IL incorporated. To analyze the mechanism of this dependence in detail, the compositions, higher-order structures, and electronic states of the polymer films were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the carrier density in the polymer film was quantified using electrochemical techniques, and its correlation with the thermoelectric conversion properties was analyzed.

Automated summary

The study focused on synthesizing freestanding PEDOT: PSS films modified with an ionic liquid, which were found to exhibit high mechanical strengths and hydrophobicity. The thermoelectric properties of these films were dependent on the amount of IL incorporated, with further analysis conducted on the composition, higher-order structures, and electronic states of the polymer films. Additionally, the correlation between carrier density in the polymer film and thermoelectric conversion properties was investigated using electrochemical techniques.