Optimizing Thermoelectric Properties of PEDOT: PSS/Bi 2 Te 3 /reduced Graphene Oxide Ternary Composite Films for Energy Harvesting Applications

Abstract We present a notable improvement in the TE efficiency of PEDOT: PSS through the fabrication of composite films incorporating Bi2Te3 and rGO. A set of five PEDOT: PSS/Bi2Te3 /rGO ternary composite films samples, namely, (a) PEDOT: PSS (b) PEDOT: PSS /0.4BT% Bi2Te3 (c) PEDOt :PSS/0.4% Bi2Te3 /0.1% rGO (d) PEDOT: PSS /0.4% Bi2Te3 /0.2% rGO, and (e) PEDOT: PSS /0.4% Bi2Te3 /0.3% rGO, were used for investigations, Using XRD, Raman, SEM, and XPS the Structural property and morphological characterstics of the composite films were thoroughly examined. At ambient temperature, the 0.1 rGO ternary composite film exhibited the highest electrical conductivity of 18.21 Scm-1, Seebeck coefficient of 15.5 ΜvK-1, and a power factor of 11.39 μWm-1 K-2. This value represents 5-6 times more than pristine PEDOT: PSS film. The observed notable enhancements can be ascribed to the highly structured arrangement of PEDOT chains on the surface of rGO. This alignment is a result of the strong interfacial interaction between PEDOT: PSS and rGO, as well as the separation of PEDOT and PSS phases. The findings of this study present an apparent and promising route for the utilization of PEDOT: PSS in the field of most promising and high-efficient TE conversion process.