A new poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonate)/nickel oxide nanoparticles (PEDOT:PSS/NiO) thermoelectric system with a promising thermoelectric power factor

Recently, the thermoelectric (TE) functions of Poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) polymer have been extensively progressed, owing to its processability, flexibility, and its low intrinsic thermal conductivity. In this regards, nickel oxide (NiO) nano-particles have been mixed with PEDOT:PSS to design a new thermoelectric (PEDOT:PSS/NiO) system. The anisotropic (parallel // and vertical ⊥) TE functions as a function of the NiO content (10–40 wt%) have been investigated in the temperature range 300–390 K. The anisotropic conductivity (σ) of the systems is reduced while their anisotropic Seebeck coefficients (S) have increased with the increase in the NiO content. The anisotropic conductivity of the systems is reduced while their anisotropic Seebeck coefficients have increased firstly and then decrease with the growth of temperature. The optimal PF//~24.61 ± 0.3 μW/mK2 and PF⊥~ 3.40 ± 0.03 μW/mK2 are achieved at 340 K for 30 wt% with S// ~39.07 ± 1.7 μV/K and S⊥~27.34 ± 2 μV/K owing to the spin Seebeck coefficient, the reduction in the carrier concentration and the energy filtering effects. Interestingly, the impact of H2SO4 acid post-treatment on the PEDOT:PSS/NiO (30 wt%) has been done to obtain the highest PF values (PF//~ 54.59 ± 1 μW/mK2, PF⊥~ 5.64 ± 2 μW/mK2) owing to the growth in the anisotropic σ as a result of the removal of PSS polymers. Finally, the achieved PEDOT:PSS/NiO system offers a promising TE functions for potential applications in temperature sensors, wearable electronics and harvest technology.