Investigation of the Thermoelectric Power Factor of KOH-Treated PEDOT:PSS Dispersions for Printing Applications

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Lukas Stepien - , Chair of Materials Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Aljoscha Roch - , Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Sarah Schlaier - , Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Ines Dani - , Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Anton Kiriy - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Frank Simon - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Marian V. Lukowicz - , Chair of Space Systems, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Christoph Leyens - , Chair of Materials Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

This work studies the modification of commercially available dispersions of intrinsically conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS with a strong base, KOH. It is concluded that addition of base derives a dedoping of the PEDOT chain and increase Seebeck coefficient from 15 μV/K to 90 μV/K. Supportive UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy was used for tracking the doping level of the polymer. A surface morphology study of the dedoped PEDOT:PSS films was monitored by SEM. It was shown that if KOH is used in excess with respect to the acid component of PEDOT:PSS dispersions, it segregates at the surface forming crystallites. They, however could be easily removed by methanol rinsing without destroying the sample integrity. After material modification, a dispenser-printed polymer unileg-TEG with 61 unicouples was fabricated by printing. The TEG in form of 253 mm-long stripe shows a flexible behavior. At 90 K temperature difference a resulting power output of ~ 100 nW could be measured. We suggest that the low power output is due to a high internal generator resistance.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)101-111
Number of pages11
JournalEnergy Harvesting and Systems
Volume3
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • base, de-doping, flexible, intrinsically conducting polymer, PEDOT:PSS, pH value, power factor, printing, thermoelectric generator