Achieving High Thermoelectric Performance And Metallic Transport In Solvent-Sheared Pedot:Pss

Polymer-based materials hold great potential for use in thermoelectric applications but are limited by their poor electrical properties. Through a combination of solution-shearing deposition and directionally applied solvent treatments, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films with metallic-like conductivities can be obtained with high power factors in excess of 800 mu W m(-1) K-2. X-ray scattering and absorption data indicate that structural alignment of PEDOT chains and larger-sized domains are responsible for the enhanced electrical conductivity. It is expected that further enhancements to the power factor can be obtained through device geometry and postdeposition solvent shearing optimization.