Self-Healable and Robust PE/PEDOT/SWCNT Thermoelectric Composites

With increasing popularity and great application prospects of flexible wearable electronics, organic thermoelectric (TE)materials have become one hotspot in view of energy recycling and environment protection. However, diversifying application scenarios and frequent movements impose inevitable damage to materials. Herein, the polyethylene (PE) matrix is used in compositing with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and single-walled carbon nanotubes, forming a unique conductive penetration network and endowing the composites with a maximal room-temperature power factor of 158.81 mu W m-1 K-2 with 20 wt % of PE. The introduction of PE not only reduces thermal conductivity (out-ofplane) but also provides the composites with self-healing and good mechanical properties. The compounding method and penetration structure reported in this work are universal and enlightening in developing highly efficient TE composites with cost-effectiveness and good comprehensive properties for low-grade waste heat utilization.

Automated summary

With the increasing popularity and application prospects of flexible wearable electronics, organic thermoelectric materials have become a hotspot in the field of energy recycling and environmental protection. In this study, a polyethylene matrix was used in combination with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and single-walled carbon nanotubes, forming a conductive penetration network and providing the composites with a high room-temperature power factor. The inclusion of polyethylene not only reduces thermal conductivity but also improves self-healing and mechanical properties of the composites.