Efficiently suppressed thermal conductivity in ZnO thin films via periodic introduction of organic layers

A combination of atomic and molecular layer deposition techniques is used to fabricate thin films of hybrid inorganic–organic superlattice structures with periodically repeating single layers of hydroquinone within a ZnO or (Zn0.98Al0.02)O framework. A significant reduction of up to one magnitude in the thermal conductivity of the films as evaluated with the time-domain thermoreflectance technique is observed upon introduction of the organic layers, resulting in a greatly improved thermoelectric performance.

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