Development and evaluation of "thermoelectric power-generating thread" using carbon nanotube-coated threads

Abstract

We developed a unique thermoelectric material based on a carbon nanotube-coated threads. Carbon nanotubes are attracting attention as an electrical material due to flexibility, excellent conductivity, mechanical strength, and so on. Recently, they have been reported to exhibit a huge Seebeck effect, and as a result, applications as a thermoelectric material is expected. We propose the use of carbon nanotube-coated threads, which are cotton threads coated with carbon nanotubes by a dyeing method, as a new thermoelectric material. In this paper, we confirm that carbon nanotubes could be fixed on cotton threads using carbon nanotube dispersion dispersed by surfactant and drying, and the thread could show thermoelectric power generation. Further, by decorating the cotton thread surface with a phthalocyanine derivative, the conductivity of carbon nanotube-coated threads was improved while maintaining the thermoelectromotive force.