Interface modified MoS2/CNT with enhanced power factor via energy filtering effect for flexible thermoelectric applications

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) has gained vast attraction in academia and industry due to their outstanding optical and electrical properties. Among them, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising material in the field of thermoelectric due to its high effective mass, Van der Waal's interaction and anisotropy. In this work, layered structure of molybdenum disulfide is prepared by hydrothermal method and coated on ITO/PET flexible substrate by doctor blade method. The thermoelectric properties of MoS2 are improved with the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by fabricating the film via layer-by-layer assembly and heterojunction. The presence of (E12g and A1g) modes and (D, G and G') band from Raman spectra confirmed the formation of MoS2 and CNT, respectively. Further the chemical composition is also confirmed from the presence of Mo4+ and S2-oxidation states. The maximum achieved Seebeck coefficient (S), electrical conductivity (sigma) and power factor (S2 sigma) values are - 19.45 mu V/K, 430 S/m and 160 nW/mK2 at 315 K, respectively, for heterojunction. The achieved maximum power factor for heterojunction is due to the energy carrier filtering effect at the interface of MoS2 and CNT. The current research work paves a new strategy to design a flexible thermoelectric device.

Automated summary

This study enhances the thermoelectric properties of MoS2 by fabricating a film with layer-by-layer assembly and heterojunction, introducing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The presence of MoS2 and CNTs is confirmed through Raman spectroscopy and chemical analysis. The achieved maximum power factor is attributed to the energy carrier filtering effect at the interface of MoS2 and CNTs, providing a new strategy for designing flexible thermoelectric devices.