P Type to N Type Transition in Hybrid AgxTe PEDOT PSS Thermoelectric Materials via Stoichiometric Control during Solution Based Synthesis

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 amp; 956;W 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 material