Impact of Geometrical Factors on the Effectiveness of a Flexible Organic Thermoelectric Generator

Abstract

The introduction of organic materials in thermoelectric (TE) technology has created significant possibilities in the field of flexible electronics. Nevertheless, achieving optimal integration of these materials into flexible TE devices necessitated a deeper comprehension and fine-tuning of device parameters. In this study, we present the enhancement of multiple variables that influence the efficiency of a flexible organic TE generator (f-OTEG) by applying dispenser printing. This method involves the deposition of an organic composite made up of a conjugated thienothiophene polymer and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that exhibit excellent bonding with polyimide substrate with a peel-off strength of 490 kPa. The investigations demonstrate that the dimensional properties of the TE legs have a substantial effect on the output performances. A highly efficient 7-legged f-OTEG generated an output power of 95 nW with a temperature differential of 69.1 K. The f-OTEG exhibited no degradation for a period exceeding 200 days and maintained consistent operating stability for over 200 h. In addition, the device demonstrated exceptional performance durability during bending tests conducted over 500 cycles.