Enhanced thermoelectric properties of germanium powder/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) composites

We herein report on the enhanced thermoelectric properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/Ge composite films fabricated by drop-casting of a solution of Ge powder in PEDOT:PSS. The power factor of the fabricated PEDOT:PSS/Ge composite films with 29.6 wt.% Ge was 165 mu W m(-1)K(-2), and they exhibited an extremely low thermal conductivity. The maximum thermoelectric figure of merit was anticipated to be similar to 0.1 at room temperature for the PEDOT:PSS/Ge composite films with 29.6 wt.% Ge, suggesting that their heterostructure was effective in enhancing their thermoelectric efficiency. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.