P-type-to-N-type transition in hybrid AGxTE/PEDOT:PSS thermoelectric materials via stoichiometric control during solution-based synthesis

Abstract

This work demonstrates the production of high-performing p-type and n-type hybrid AgxTe/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene):polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) thermoelectric materials from the same Te/PEDOT:PSS parent structure during aqueous-based synthesis. All samples were solution-processed and analyzed in thin-film architectures. We were able to demonstrate a power factor of 44 μW m−1 K−2 for our highest-performing n-type material. In addition, we were also able to realize a 68% improvement in the power factor of our p-type compositions relative to the parent structure through manipulation of the inorganic nanostructure composition. We demonstrate control over the thermoelectric properties by varying the stoichiometry of AgxTe nanoparticles in AgxTe/PEDOT:PSS hybrid materials via a topotactic chemical transformation process at room temperature. This process offers a simple, low-temperature, and cost-effective route toward the production of both efficient n-type and p-type hybrid thermoelectric materials.