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Synergistic thermoelectric power factor increase in films incorporating tellurium and thiophene-based semiconductors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2013

Jasmine Sinha ,
Robert M. Ireland ,
Stephen J. Lee  and
Howard E. Katz
Jasmine Sinha
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 206 Maryland Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Robert M. Ireland
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 206 Maryland Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Stephen J. Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 206 Maryland Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Howard E. Katz*
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 206 Maryland Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
*
*Address all correspondence to Howard E. Katz at [email protected]
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Abstract

Two thiophene-based semiconductors, a vapor-deposited small molecule and an amorphous polymer, as well as pentacene for comparison, show potential in enhancing the thermoelectric properties of tellurium (Te) nanowires. For vapor-deposited films, Te nanostructures form directly on glass substrates or organic semiconductor films. The resulting Te power factor (S2σ) was enhanced from 36 to 45 W/mK2 (56 for pentacene) because the bilayer provides an enhancement in Seebeck (S) without compromising conductivity (σ). For solution deposited polymer blends, we obtained power factors from a Te nanowire network that alone would not have sufficient connectivity (up to 0.1 µW/mK2). While the organics are unoptimized, they are prototypical materials for further development.

Type
Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 97 - 100
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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