High thermoelectric performance in the n-type Bi2S3/f-MWCNTs nanocomposites prepared by hydrothermal method

In this study, we successfully combined functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) into the Bi2S3 matrix using a simple hydrothermal synthesis technique to optimize its thermoelectric properties. The presence of MWCNTs optimizes the electrical transport properties of the matrix material, resulting in a power factor (PF) of up to 151 μW K−2 m−1 for the Bi2S3/f-MWCNTs (0.5 wt%) nanocomposite, which is nearly 70% higher than that of the pure Bi2S3. In addition, the enhanced phonon scattering effect results in a total thermal conductivity of 0.27W·K−1·m−1 at 589K for Bi2S3/f-MWCNTs nanocomposite, which is close to the lowest value reported for Bi2S3-based materials. Ultimately, the thermoelectric merit (ZT) values of the Bi2S3+xwt%f-MWCNTs (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) nanocomposites were all improved to varying degrees. We prepared Bi2S3/f-MWCNTs nanocomposites with high thermoelectric properties by simple hydrothermal synthesis technique. The use of composite structure to regulate the thermoelectric optimum value of Bi2S3-based materials will further broaden its application in the thermoelectric field.