Investigation of the Thermoelectric Power Factor of KOH-Treated PEDOT:PSS Dispersions for Printing Applications
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Contributors
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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 101-111 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Energy Harvesting and Systems |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- base, de-doping, flexible, intrinsically conducting polymer, PEDOT:PSS, pH value, power factor, printing, thermoelectric generator