Preparation and Characterization of Bi2Te3/Graphite/Polythiophene Thermoelectric Composites

The Bi2Te3/graphite/polythiophene composites were prepared by solution mixing, mechanical ball milling, cold pressing and spark plasma sintering (SPS) in order to utilize and integrate the high Seebeck coefficient of Bi2Te3, high electrical conductivity of graphite (G) and low thermal conductivity of polythiophene (PTh). The structures and properties of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope, thermo gravimetric analyzer, x-ray diffraction and ULVAC ZEM-2 Seebeck coefficient measurement. The results showed that the related components were uniformly dispersed in the composites, and the electrical conductivity of the composites increased significantly with increasing G content. A small addition of Bi2Te3 to the matrix contributed to an increase in Seebeck coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the composites stayed at a low level owing to the low thermal conductivity of PTh. These composites prepared by SPS show an increase in Seebeck coefficient but a decrease in electrical conductivity as compared to corresponding composites prepared by cold pressing.