Abstract
In the present study, thermoelectric properties of composites formed by poly (3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene):poly (styrene-4-sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/boron phosphate (BPO4) were studied. First, BPO4 was synthesized at 1000°C using boric acid and phosphoric acid as precursors. Later, PEDOT:PSS was synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization reaction at room temperature. Their composites were prepared in different mass ratios by ultrasonic homogenization. The composites were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis.), attenuated total reflection accessory attached Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM–EDX). The power factor of the sample was obtained using the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements. The positive sign of Seebeck coefficient of the pristine PEDOT:PSS turned to the negative, which is the characteristic of n-type material, by addition of BPO4. The power factor of PEDOT:PSS was increased from 0.03 μWm−1 K−2 to 252 μWm−1 K−2 for the composite containing 25% BPO4 by weight. This indicates that BPO4 can be a good additive to prepare n-type TE material.
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