Ethylene-Octene-Copolymer with Embedded Carbon and Organic Conductive Nanostructures for Thermoelectric Applications

Polymers

Robert Olejnik¹  Michal Sedlacik¹  Petr Slobodian¹  Pavel Riha² 

[1] Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University, Tr. T. Bati 5678, 760 01 Zlin, Czech Republic;The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrodynamics, Pod Patankou 5, 166 12 Prague 6, Czech Republic;

关键词: ethylene-octene-copolymer;    carbon nanotubes;    carbon fibers;    polyaniline;    polypyrrole;    thermoelectric composites;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym12061316

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Hybrid thermoelectric composites consisting of organic ethylene-octene-copolymer matrices (EOC) and embedded inorganic pristine and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers or organic polyaniline and polypyrrole particles were used to form conductive nanostructures with thermoelectric properties, which at the same time had sufficient strength, elasticity, and stability. Oxygen doping of carbon nanotubes increased the concentration of carboxyl and C–O functional groups on the nanotube surfaces and enhanced the thermoelectric power of the respective composites by up to 150%. A thermocouple assembled from EOC composites generated electric current by heat supplied with a mere short touch of the finger. A practical application of this thermocouple was provided by a self-powered vapor sensor, for operation of which an electric current in the range of microvolts sufficed, and was readily induced by (waste) heat. The heat-induced energy ensured the functioning of this novel sensor device, which converted chemical signals elicited by the presence of heptane vapors to the electrical domain through the resistance changes of the comprising EOC composites.

【 授权许可】

Unknown