Abstract:
In this paper, we have developed a simple strategy for
the preparation of hybrid nanocomposites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)−
TiO2/ZnO (PZT) and demonstrated its
application in a thermoelectric device. Hierarchical hetero-nanostructured
TiO2/ZnO (ZTO) was prepared by a facile sol−gel
process in the presence of a biocapping agent. PZT was prepared by
in situ polymerization of EDOT in the presence of ZTO. It was
characterized by UV−visible, FT-IR, XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, and
AFM analyses. Results revealed homogeneous distribution of ZTO
with a heterocrystalline phase of wurtzite ZnO/anatase TiO2 having
high density of various defects in the hybrid nanocomposite. Studies
showed that ZTO is excellently interfaced with highly ordered selfassembled
extended π-layers of PEDOT chains, which could
enhance the charge carrier concentration (3.92 × 1020 cm−3) and
charge carrier mobility (0.83 cm2 V−1 s−1). Furthermore, we have demonstrated its application as a thermoelectric material by
fabricating the device (Cu/PZT/Cu), which showed low thermal conductivity of 0.0495 Wm−1K−1, Seebeck coefficient of 19.05
μV K−1, power factor of 1.28 μW m−1K−2, and figure of merit of 4.8 × 10−3 at ambient temperature. All of these excellent
material properties of PZT suggest its application as an active material for the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices with large
area.
