Advances in conducting polymer-based thermoelectric materials and devices

Abstract

Conducting polymer-based thermoelectric materials are considered the most promising candidates for applying to wearable thermoelectric devices because of their high electrical conductivities, flexibility, stability, and low-toxicity features. Therefore, a timely review is needed to comprehensively overview their most recent progress in the last few years, considering the rapid development of thermoelectric conducting polymers. In this work, we carefully summarize recent advances in thermoelectric conducting polymers from aspects of their mechanisms, synthesis, micro/nanostructures, mechanical/thermoelectric properties, and related functional devices. A few state-of-the-art thermoelectric conducting polymers, including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate), poly(3-hexylthiophene), polyaniline, and polypyrrole, are highlighted in detail. In the end, we point out the challenges, controversies, and outlooks of conducting polymers for future thermoelectric applications.