Thermoelectric elastomer fabricated using carbon nanotubes and nonconducting polymer

The electrical and thermoelectric properties of an organic elastomer composite composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a nonconductive polymer were systemically investigated as a function of CNT content. As the CNT content of the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix increased, the electrical conductivity increased remarkably (by about 250 times) without a large increase in the thermal conductivity, which could lead to significant improvement in the ZT value. Moreover, the Seebeck coefficient was also enhanced by increasing the CNT content. Consequently, the ZT value was effectively increased by a small increase in the quantity of CNTs in the nonconductive polymer matrix. (C) 2017 The Japan Society of Applied Physics