Photoelectric and Thermoelectric Dual Modulation Via a Ternary Composite

Materials for simultaneous photoelectric and thermo-electric dual conversions and modulations, where photon can modulate the thermoelectric conversion, and temperature can modulate the photoelectric conversion, may find potential applications where light (including a laser) can remotely turn on, turn off, or modulate a thermoelectric generator, a cooler, or a temperature sensor, and vice versa, temperature (heating/cooling) can turn on, turn off, or modulate a photoelectric device such as a photo detector or a solar cell. Here, it is demonstrated that such simultaneous dual conversion or modulation can be achieved via a ternary composite, e.g., a poly-3-hexyl-thiophene thin-film doped with both phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester and iodine. This finding may result in the development of lightweight, flexible shape, cost-effective, renewable, environmentally friendly, biocompatible, and scalable materials, devices, and systems for clean energy harvestings (such as solar and waste heat dual energy harvesting) as well as light/heat dual-sensing sensors, modulators, and controllers.