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Polyaniline − carbon nanohorn composites as thermoelectric materials
Author(s) -
Famengo Alessia,
Ferrario Alberto,
Boldrini Stefano,
Battiston Simone,
Fiameni Stefania,
Pagura Cesare,
Fabrizio Monica
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5366
Subject(s) - materials science , polyaniline , seebeck coefficient , thermoelectric effect , composite material , thermoelectric materials , conductive polymer , thermal conductivity , thermoelectric generator , thermal stability , nanocomposite , polymer , carbon nanotube , electrical resistivity and conductivity , chemical engineering , physics , polymerization , thermodynamics , electrical engineering , engineering
Thermoelectric materials can convert heat into electricity when a temperature gradient is present. The investigation of conductive polymers such as polyaniline ( PANI ) and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) as active materials for thermoelectric generators in the room temperature range is gaining interest because of several key advantages offered by these materials. The relative ease of solution processing, their mechanical stability and flexibility together with low density and low thermal conductivity make conductive polymers suitable for integration in a thermoelectric generator. Polymers offer remarkably low thermal conductivity values but modest Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. In this work, polymer/inorganic nanocomposites of PANI with carbon particles such as single wall carbon nanohorns ( SWCNHs ) were prepared via solution mixing of the precursors in order to increase the electrical conductivity by means of polymer matrix/nanohorn electronic junctions. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were estimated on PANI / SWCNH films and pressed pellets and through‐plane thermal conductivity was determined on films. The thermal stability of PANI / SWCNH composites was evaluated by means of TGA / DSC coupled with residual gas analysis. It was found that a proper concentration of SWCNHs in PANI −(+/−)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid (CSA) film was effective in increasing the electrical conductivity without decreasing the Seebeck coefficient. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry