Convenient construction of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–graphene pie-like structure with enhanced thermoelectric performance

Abstract

A novel strategy via the convenient construction of a pie-like structure has been developed to prepare a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–reduced graphene oxide (PEDOT–rGO) nanocomposite with a greatly enhanced thermoelectric performance. Via a template-directed in situ polymerization, thick and uniform coatings of PEDOT layers were conveniently grown on both sides of the rGO nanosheet surfaces due to a strong π–π interfacial interaction. The nanocomposite exhibited a significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance at room temperature with a power factor of 5.2 ± 0.9 × 10⁻⁶ W m⁻¹ K⁻², greater than 13.3 times that of the PEDOT.