Issue 8, 2012

Prospects for polymer-based thermoelectrics: state of the art and theoretical analysis

Abstract

This perspective discusses theories of polymer thermoelectrics, identifying combinations of electronic charge carrier energies and thermal conductivity mechanisms that could lead to the highest efficiencies. Structures, electrical conductivities, Seebeck coefficients, and figures of merit are summarized for some recently devised polymer-based thermoelectric materials. Foundational equations that define these quantities are presented, and are related to thermal conductivities as well. Finally, approaches to polymer composite design that optimize thermoelectric performance in light of the theoretical models are proposed.

Graphical abstract: Prospects for polymer-based thermoelectrics: state of the art and theoretical analysis

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
02 May 2012
Accepted
18 Jun 2012
First published
19 Jun 2012

Energy Environ. Sci., 2012,5, 8110-8115

Prospects for polymer-based thermoelectrics: state of the art and theoretical analysis

T. O. Poehler and H. E. Katz, Energy Environ. Sci., 2012, 5, 8110 DOI: 10.1039/C2EE22124A

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