Preparation, morphology and thermoelectric performance of PEDOT/CuI nanocomposites

Abstract

Incorporating inorganic nanomaterials into a polymer matrix is one of the most effective ways to create thermoelectric performance for applications where physical flexibility is essential. In this study, flexible thermoelectric nanocomposite films were synthesized by incorporating inorganic copper iodide (CuI) nanosheets as the filler into poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS). The process involved the preparation of bulk CuI from precursors and, subsequently, the nanosheet synthesis by dissolving the bulk CuI in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The morphology of the nanosheets and the nanocomposite films was thoroughly examined, and the film’s thermoelectric performance was evaluated using a standard thermoelectric measurement system, ZEM-3.