Thermoelectric properties of polythiophene/MWNT composites prepared by ball-milling

Polythiophene /multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) composites were prepared by ball-mailing. The morphology and internal structure of the composites were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their thermoelectric properties, i.e., the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient and the thermal conductivity, were investigated in detail. The remarkably increased electrical conductivity, the slightly increased Seebeck coefficient and the relatively insensitive thermal conductivity with increasing MWNT content led to an obvious enhancement in the thermoelectric figure of merit. The results showed that the MWNT were uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix, and that increasing the electrical conductivity is the key factor for enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit. This study suggested a simple way to improve the thermoelectric performances of conducting polymers.