Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Using Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Fibers Based on Low-Temperature In Situ Polymerization and the Freeze-Thaw Method

Wearable devices based on organic thermoelectric (TE) fibers or textiles are attracting widespread attention because of their impressive structural features and high heat-to-electricity conversion capability. However, the production of low-cost, high-TE, and high-mechanical-performance TE fibers is still a challenge. Herein, a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) spinning solution were synthesized by low-temperature in situ polymerization and freeze-thaw (FT) treatment. Also PEDOT:PSS TE fibers were prepared by wet spinning. PEDOT:PSS fibers with excellent properties were obviously improved by regulating the polymerization reaction temperature and number of FT cycles. The optimized PEDOT:PSS fibers obtained at a pretty low in situ polymerization temperature (-18 degrees C) and FT2 cycles excited a considerably high Seebeck coefficient of 40.8 mu V<middle dot>K-1, a high electrical conductivity of 980 S<middle dot>cm(-1), and a tensile breaking strength of 57.42 cN. The method is cost-effective and could be realized in mass production, demonstrating its potential application in wearable electronic devices.