Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.6
5.0
Journals
Polymers
Special Issues
Polymers for Thermoelectric Application
share announcement

Polymers for Thermoelectric Application

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 August 2018)

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qichun Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
Interests: design, synthesis and characterization of novel organic conjugated materials as well as their applications in flexible and stretchable optoelectronic devices, both in thin films (field-effect transistors, photovoltaics, memory, OLEDs, thermoelectric, sensing, etc.) and at the nanoscale; novel electrode materials as well as new design for Microbial Fuel Cells; design and synthesis of Novel crystalline inorganic materials for photocatalytic and thermoelectric applications; inorganic-organic upconversion nanoprobes as next generation biomarkers for biosensing, bioimaging, and NIR-drug release
Prof. Dr. Guangming Chen

E-Mail
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518055 Shenzhen, China
Interests: polymer/inorganic thermoelectric composites; polymer thermoelectric materials; organic/inorganic hybrid thermoelectric composites; polymer/layered double hydroxide composites; polymer nanocomposites
Prof. Dr. Haoli Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Applied and Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
Interests: materials chemistry; organic chemistry; nanotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymers (organic or inorganic-hybrid) and polymer composites have great potential in green energy conversion due to being lightweight, having an inexpensive process, intrinsic low thermal conductivity and mechanical flexibility. In the arena of next-generation of flexible energy-conversion devices, polymer-based thermoelectric should be promising.

This Special Issue is concerned with design, simulation, synthesis, characterization and applications of polymer-related thermoelectric (including conjugated polymers, inorganic-organic polymers, and polymer composites), trying to understand how the morphology, nanostructures, and compositions to affect their performance. Topics may include synthesis, characterization, theoretical study, nano-engineering, morphology study and thermoelectric application.

Prof. Dr. Qichun Zhang
Prof. Dr. Guangming Chen
Prof. Dr. Haoli Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Polymers
  • Inorganic-organic hybrid polymers
  • Polymer composites
  • Thermoelectric application
  • Synthesis and characterization
  • simulation

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

8 pages, 3288 KiB  
Article
Morphologies Tuning of Polypyrrole and Thermoelectric Properties of Polypyrrole Nanowire/Graphene Composites
by Yong Du, Hao Niu, Jun Li, Yunchen Dou, Shirley Z. Shen, Runping Jia and Jiayue Xu
Polymers 2018, 10(10), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10101143 - 13 Oct 2018
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4100
Abstract
Polypyrrole (PPy) with different morphologies (e.g., particles, nanotubes, and nanowires) were successfully prepared by adding or without adding different kinds of surfactants through a chemical oxidative polymerization method, respectively. The results show that the morphologies of PPy can be effectively controlled and have [...] Read more.
Polypyrrole (PPy) with different morphologies (e.g., particles, nanotubes, and nanowires) were successfully prepared by adding or without adding different kinds of surfactants through a chemical oxidative polymerization method, respectively. The results show that the morphologies of PPy can be effectively controlled and have a significantly effects on their thermoelectric properties. The PPy nanowires exhibit the highest electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient among the various PPy morphologies, such as particles, nanotubes, and nanowires, so PPy nanowires were chosen to prepare PPy nanowire/graphene thermoelectric composites via a soft template polymerization method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide as the template. Both electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the PPy nanowire/graphene composites increased as the content of graphene increases from 0 to 20 wt %, and as the measured temperature increases from 300 K to 380 K, which leds to the same trend for the power factor. A highest power factor of 1.01 μWm−1K−2 at ~380 K was obtained for the PPy nanowire/graphene composites with 20 wt % PPy nanowire, which is about 3.3 times higher than that of the pure PPy nanowire. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
Reversible Protonic Doping in Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)
by Shuzhong He, Masakazu Mukaida, Kazuhiro Kirihara, Lingyun Lyu and Qingshuo Wei
Polymers 2018, 10(10), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10101065 - 25 Sep 2018
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4161
Abstract
In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), a benchmark-conducting polymer, was doped by protons. The doping and de-doping processes, using protonic acid and a base, were fully reversible. We predicted possible doping sites along the polymer chain using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This study sheds [...] Read more.
In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), a benchmark-conducting polymer, was doped by protons. The doping and de-doping processes, using protonic acid and a base, were fully reversible. We predicted possible doping sites along the polymer chain using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This study sheds potential light and understanding on the molecular design of highly conductive organic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 658 KiB  
Article
The Electrical, Mechanical and Surface Properties of Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer Modified by Electron Beta Radiation
by David Manas, Ales Mizera, Milan Navratil, Miroslav Manas, Martin Ovsik, Stanislav Sehnalek and Pavel Stoklasek
Polymers 2018, 10(10), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10101057 - 22 Sep 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3939
Abstract
The main advantages of Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers (TPE-E) are their elastomer properties as well as their ability to be processed in the same way as thermoplastic polymers (e.g., injection moulding, compression moulding and extrusion). However, TPE-Es’ properties, mainly their mechanical properties and thermal [...] Read more.
The main advantages of Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers (TPE-E) are their elastomer properties as well as their ability to be processed in the same way as thermoplastic polymers (e.g., injection moulding, compression moulding and extrusion). However, TPE-Es’ properties, mainly their mechanical properties and thermal characteristics, are not as good as those of elastomers. Because of this TPE-Es are often modified with the aim of improving their properties and extending their range of application. Radiation cross-linking using accelerated electron beams is one of the most effective ways to change virgin polymers’ properties significantly. Their electrical (that is to say permittivity and resistivity measurements), mechanical (that is, tensile and impact tensile tests), as well as surface (that is, nano-indentation) properties were measured on modified/cross-linked TPE-E specimens with and/or without a cross-linking agent at irradiation doses of 0, 33, 66, 99, 132, 165 and 198 kGy. The data acquired from these procedures show significant changes in the measured properties. The results of this study allow the possibility of determining the proper processing parameters and irradiation doses for the production of TPE-E products which leads to the enlargement of their application in practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

6 pages, 1740 KiB  
Article
Crystallinity-Dependent Thermoelectric Properties of a Two-Dimensional Coordination Polymer: Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2
by Yoshiyuki Nonoguchi, Dai Sato and Tsuyoshi Kawai
Polymers 2018, 10(9), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10090962 - 31 Aug 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5890
Abstract
The evaluation of thermoelectric properties has recently become a standard method for revealing the electronic properties of conducting polymers. Herein we report on the thermoelectric properties of a two-dimensional coordination polymer pellets. The pellets of Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2, which has recently [...] Read more.
The evaluation of thermoelectric properties has recently become a standard method for revealing the electronic properties of conducting polymers. Herein we report on the thermoelectric properties of a two-dimensional coordination polymer pellets. The pellets of Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2, which has recently been developed, show n-type thermoelectric transport, dependent on crystallinity. The present results provide systematic feedback to the guideline for high-performance molecular thermoelectric materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 6157 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Intrinsic Carrier Transport in Highly Oriented Poly(3-hexylthiophene): Effect of Side Chain Regioregularity
by Sanyin Qu, Chen Ming, Qin Yao, Wanheng Lu, Kaiyang Zeng, Wei Shi, Xun Shi, Ctirad Uher and Lidong Chen
Polymers 2018, 10(8), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10080815 - 25 Jul 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4012
Abstract
The fundamental understanding of the influence of molecular structure on the carrier transport properties in the field of organic thermoelectrics (OTEs) is a big challenge since the carrier transport behavior in conducting polymers reveals average properties contributed from all carrier transport channels, including [...] Read more.
The fundamental understanding of the influence of molecular structure on the carrier transport properties in the field of organic thermoelectrics (OTEs) is a big challenge since the carrier transport behavior in conducting polymers reveals average properties contributed from all carrier transport channels, including those through intra-chain, inter-chain, inter-grain, and hopping between disordered localized sites. Here, combining molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, we investigated the carrier transport properties of doped highly oriented poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films with different side-chain regioregularity. It is demonstrated that the substitution of side chains can not only take effect on the carrier transport edge, but also on the dimensionality of the transport paths and as a result, on the carrier mobility. Conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) study as well as temperature-dependent measurements of the electrical conductivity clearly showed ordered local current paths in the regular side chain P3HT films, while random paths prevailed in the irregular sample. Regular side chain substitution can be activated more easily and favors one-dimensional transport along the backbone chain direction, while the irregular sample presents the three-dimensional electron hopping behavior. As a consequence, the regular side chain P3HT samples demonstrated high carrier mobility of 2.9 ± 0.3 cm2/V·s, which is more than one order of magnitude higher than that in irregular side chain P3HT films, resulting in a maximum thermoelectric (TE) power factor of 39.1 ± 2.5 μW/mK2 at room temperature. These findings would formulate design rules for organic semiconductors based on these complex systems, and especially assist in the design of high performance OTE polymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2066 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Porous Polyvinylidene Fluoride/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites and Their Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance
by Fei-Peng Du, Xuan Qiao, Yan-Guang Wu, Ping Fu, Sheng-Peng Liu, Yun-Fei Zhang and Qiu-Yu Wang
Polymers 2018, 10(7), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10070797 - 19 Jul 2018
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3910
Abstract
In this paper, a solvent vapor-induced phase separation (SVIPS) technique was used to create a porous structure in polyvinylidene fluoride/Multi-walled carbon nanotube (PVDF/MWNTs) composites with the aim of increasing the electrical conductivity through the incorporation of MWNTs while retaining a low thermal conductivity. [...] Read more.
In this paper, a solvent vapor-induced phase separation (SVIPS) technique was used to create a porous structure in polyvinylidene fluoride/Multi-walled carbon nanotube (PVDF/MWNTs) composites with the aim of increasing the electrical conductivity through the incorporation of MWNTs while retaining a low thermal conductivity. By using the dimethylformamide/acetone mixture, porous networks could be generated in the PVDF/MWNTs composites upon the rapid volatilization of acetone. The electrical conductivity was gradually enhanced by the addition of MWNTs. At the same time, the thermal conductivity of the PVDF film could be retained at 0.1546 W·m−1·K−1 due to the porous structure being even by loaded with a high content of MWNTs (i.e., 15 wt.%). Thus, the Seebeck coefficient, power factor and figure of merit (ZT) were subsequently improved with maximum values of 324.45 μV/K, 1.679 μW·m−1·K−2, and 3.3 × 10−3, respectively. The microstructures, thermal properties, and thermoelectric properties of the porous PVDF/MWNTs composites were studied. It was found that the enhancement of thermoelectric properties would be attributed to the oxidation of MWNTs and the porous structure of the composites. The decrease of thermal conductivity and the increase of Seebeck coefficient were induced by the phonon scattering and energy-filtering effect. The proposed method was found to be facile and effective in creating a positive effect on the thermoelectric properties of composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 5902 KiB  
Review
Carbon Nanotube-Based Organic Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting
by Xiaodong Wang, Hong Wang and Bing Liu
Polymers 2018, 10(11), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10111196 - 26 Oct 2018
Cited by 69 | Viewed by 7636
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention in developing high-performance, low-cost, flexible thermoelectric (TE) materials because of their great electrical and mechanical properties. Theory predicts that one-dimensional semiconductors have natural advantages in TE fields. During the past few decades, remarkable progress has been [...] Read more.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention in developing high-performance, low-cost, flexible thermoelectric (TE) materials because of their great electrical and mechanical properties. Theory predicts that one-dimensional semiconductors have natural advantages in TE fields. During the past few decades, remarkable progress has been achieved in both theory and experiments. What is more important is that CNTs have shown desirable features for either n-type or p-type TE properties through specific strategies. Up to now, CNT‒polymer hybrids have held the record for TE performance in organic materials, which means they can potentially be used in high-performance TE applications and flexible electronic devices. In this review, we intend to focus on the intrinsic TE properties of both n-type and p-type CNTs and effective TE enhanced strategies. Furthermore, the current trends for developing CNT-based and CNT‒polymer-based high TE performance organic materials are discussed, followed by an overview of the relevant electronic structure‒TE property relationship. Finally, models for evaluating the TE properties are provided and a few representative samples of CNT‒polymer composites with high TE performance are highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Thermoelectric Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop