Polymer and composite based thermoelectrics: Basics, scopes and issues

Abstract

AbstractLow thermal conductivity of polymeric materials along with their ability for nonconventional process ability, light weight, and flexibility makes them possible candidates for low‐power thermo electrical applications. However, it requires the development of both Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity simultaneously. This viewpoint addresses some of the concepts in the literature to reach this by taking into consideration the intricacies and interconnectivities of diverse thermoelectric parameters. Particularly, the applicability of the Wiedemann–Franz rule as well as DOS engineering by combination two semiconductors, suitable in inorganic, is reviewed for polymeric systems. One of the major advantages of polymeric semiconductors is that their thermal conductivity is mostly phononic (lattice thermal conductivity) and remains low with increasing charge carrier concentrations, as needed for TE applications. The momentum in polymer artificial strategies has to be joined with the studies on doping effectiveness and doping mechanisms to overcome the bottlenecks in polymeric thermoelectric.