Abstract
This work demonstrates the use of sodium silica gel (Na-SG) particles as a reducing agent for n-type conjugated polymers to improve the conductivity and thermoelectric properties. Substantial increase in the electrical conductivity (σ, from 10−7 to 10−3 S/cm in air) was observed in two naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide solution-processable n-type polymers, one of which was designed and synthesized in our lab. Systematic investigations of electrical conductivity were done by varying the weight percentage of Na-SG in the polymers. Additional evidence for the reduction process was obtained from electron spin resonance spectroscopy and control experiments involving nonreducing silica particles and non-electron-accepting polystyrene. The Seebeck coefficient S of the highest conductivity sample was measured and found to be in agreement with an empirical model. All the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients measurements were performed in ambient atmosphere.
Highlights
Polymers are promising materials for thermoelectric (TE) devices because they are solutionprocessable and lighter weight, composed of more readily available chemical constituents, and have lower processing costs than many inorganic alternatives
TE performances of p-type polymers are remarkably improving over the last decade.[3,4]
Chabinyc et al demonstrated solution doping of an n-type polymer P(NDIOD-T2), using 2-(4-dimethylamino phenyl)benzimidazoline N DMBI and its derivatives as potential dopants.[12]
Summary
Polymers are promising materials for thermoelectric (TE) devices because they are solutionprocessable and lighter weight, composed of more readily available chemical constituents, and have lower processing costs than many inorganic alternatives. Conductivity and power factor enhancement of n-type semiconducting polymers using sodium silica gel dopant A suitable strong reducing agent added to the n-type polymer as a dopant has the potential to increase the conductivity of n-type polymers.[12,13,14,15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
