Field-effect modulation of the thermoelectric characteristics of silicon nanowires on plastic substrates

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate the substantial enhancement of the thermoelectric power factors of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) on plastic substrates achievable by field-effect modulation. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are adjusted by varying the charge carrier concentration via electrical modulation with a gate voltage in the 0 to ±5 range, thus enhancing the power factors from 2.08 to 935 μW K−2 m−1) for n-type SiNWs, and from 453 to 944 μW K−2 m−1) for p-type SiNWs. The electrically modulated thermoelectric characteristics of SiNWs are analyzed and discussed.