Thermoelectric behaviour of polyvinyl acetate/CNT composites

Abstract

In this work an organic polymer/carbon nanotubes composite is introduced for low cost, versatile, nontoxic, light weight and high performance thermoelectric materials. Organic polymers have low thermal conductivity which is desirable for thermoelectric field. Composite films of polyvinyle Acetate and multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are demonstrated as a new candidate material for thermoelectric application. MWCNT wt. percentage ranging from 1 to 70 wt% were manufactured and tested for thermopower and electrical conductivity. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is used as the wetting agent in ratios of 2, 25 and 100% of CNT weight content. A study of the effect of the dispersantto CNT ratio on the electrical conductivity and thermopower of the composite was also carried out. The composite thermoelectric properties were measured as a function of CNT concentration at room temperature.