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Toward High Performance n-Type Thermoelectric Materials by Rational Modification of BDPPV Backbones
Ke Shi1, Fengjiao Zhang2, Chong-An Di2
1†Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Researchers developed novel n-type polymers for enhanced thermoelectric applications. FBDPPV achieved record power factors for solution-processable organic semiconductors, showing promise for advanced thermoelectric devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Thermoelectric Materials
Background:
- Developing efficient n-type organic semiconductors is crucial for advancing thermoelectric (TE) devices.
- Solution-processable conjugated polymers offer potential for low-cost TE material fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel n-type polymers for high-performance thermoelectric applications.
- To investigate the impact of structural modifications, specifically halogenation, on polymer electronic properties.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of three n-type polymers: BDPPV, ClBDPPV, and FBDPPV.
- Doping the polymers with N-DMBI ((4-(1,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)phenyl)dimethylamine).
- Measurement of electrical conductivities and thermoelectric power factors.
Main Results:
- FBDPPV demonstrated the highest electrical conductivity (14 S cm(-1)) among the studied polymers.
- FBDPPV achieved a thermoelectric power factor of 28 μW m(-1) K(-2), the highest reported for solution-processable n-type conjugated polymers.
- Halogenation significantly influenced electron mobility and doping levels, critical factors for electrical conductivity.
Conclusions:
- Rational modification of polymer structures, including halogenation, is key to optimizing electronic properties for thermoelectric applications.
- The developed n-type polymers, particularly FBDPPV, show significant potential for use in the thermoelectric field.
- This research paves the way for utilizing advanced organic semiconductors in thermoelectric energy harvesting and cooling.
