Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and made into composites with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). CNTs were dispersed with different amounts of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) prior to the PEI functionalization. The resulting samples exhibit air-stable n-type characteristics with electrical conductivities as great as 1500 S/m and thermopowers as large as −100 µV/K. Electrical conductivity and thermopower were strongly affected by CNT dispersion, improving the properties with better dispersion with high concentrations of SDBS. This improvement is believed to be due to the increase in the number of tubes that are evenly coated with PEI in a better-dispersed sample. Increasing the amount of PEI relative to the other constituents positively affects thermopower but not conductivity. Air exposure reduces both thermopower and conductivity presumably due to oxygen doping (which makes CNTs p-type), but stable values were reached within seven days following sample fabrication.
Highlights
Functional thermoelectric devices can produce electricity anywhere there is a temperature gradient
The limited efficiency of thermoelectric modules restricts their applications in both electricity generation and refrigeration to situations where longevity, space requirements, and quiet operation are of principle importance [1]
Series 1 was composed of samples containing 20-wt% Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 10wt% PEI, and a varied amount of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS)
Summary
Functional thermoelectric devices can produce electricity anywhere there is a temperature gradient. They can be employed as refrigeration devices if current is supplied, cooling without the use of pumps or fluids. At this point, the limited efficiency of thermoelectric modules restricts their applications in both electricity generation and refrigeration to situations where longevity, space requirements, and quiet operation are of principle importance [1]. Starting in the 1990s, research into thermoelectric materials has been re-energized by new material fabrication techniques. It is hoped that further research into nanomaterials will broaden the applicability of thermoelectric energy conversion by enhancing their performance
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