Aniline-pyrrole Copolymer/SWCNT thermoelectric composites from electrochemical polymerization

Abstract

Aniline-pyrrole copolymer (poly(ANi-co-Py)) electropolymerized on conductive glass was ultrasonically mixed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to prepare poly(ANi-co-Py)/SWCNT thermoelectric (TE) composites. Effects of SWCNTs contents and reaction parameters on morphology, structure, and TE properties of composites are investigated. In the as-prepared flexible poly(ANi-co-Py)/SWCNT composite films, SWCNTs and poly(ANi-co-Py) are fully entangled and tightly bonded. The highest electrical conductivity (σ) of 1035.3 ± 9.0 S cm−1 is obtained at 60 wt% of SWCNTs. The maximal Seebeck coefficient (S) of 33.0 ± 3.2 μV K−1 appears at 90 wt% SWCNTs. Thus, The peak room temperature power factor (PF) of the composites is 83.2 ± 3.3 μW m−1 K−2 at 60 wt% SWCNTs. Improved TE performance of the composites reflects increased chain ordering and enhanced interaction between SWCNTs and poly(ANi-co-Py).