Thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting, which converts available thermal resources into electrical energy, is attracting significant attention, as it facilitates wireless and self-powered electronics. Recently, as demand for portable/wearable electronic devices and sensors increases, organic-inorganic TE films with polymeric matrix are being studied to realize flexible thermoelectric energy harvesters (f-TEHs). Here, we developed flexible organic-inorganic TE films with p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 powder and polymeric matrices such as poly(3,4-eethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The fabricated TE films with a PEDOT:PSS matrix and 1 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) exhibited a power factor value of 3.96 μW ‧ m-1 ‧ K-2 which is about 2.8 times higher than that of PVDF-based TE film. We also fabricated f-TEHs using both types of TE films and investigated the TE output performance. The f-TEH made of PEDOT:PSS-based TE films harvested the maximum load voltage of 3.4 mV, with a load current of 17.4 μA, and output power of 15.7 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K, whereas the f-TEH with PVDF-based TE films generated values of 0.6 mV, 3.3 μA, and 0.54 nW. This study will broaden the fields of the research on methods to improve TE efficiency and the development of flexible organic-inorganic TE films and f-TEH.

In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT-PSS) was introduced into polymer gas separation membrane. The mixed matrix membrane composed of poly(2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol –2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] ethyl methacrylate)-poly(oxyethylene methacryalate) (PBEM-POEM) comb copolymer matrix and PEDOT-PSS filler. Incorporation of PBEM-POEM makes isolated PEDOT-PSS chain transform into a fiber-like interconnected structure due to hydrogen bonding interaction. This structure could act as a facilitated pathway for enhancing gas diffusivity through the membrane. The best performance of prepared PEDOT-PSS/PBEM-POEM composite membranes was CO2 permeability of 59.6 Barrer with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 77.4, being close to the 2008 Robeson upper bound.

본 연구에서는 전도성 고분자인 polystyrene sulfonic acid doped poly~3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT:PSS)을 소스/드레인 전극으로 사용한 펜타센 단분자 유기 반도체 기반의 전계효과 트랜지스터를 제작하고, 금을 소스/드레인 전극으로 하는 기준소자와 전기적 특성을 비교하여 평가하였다. 전기적 특성을 측정한 결과, PEDOT:PSS 박막은 금 박막에 비해 상대적으로 낮은 전도도를 가짐에도 불구하고 PEDOT:PSS 소스/드레인 전극을 갖는 펜타센 유기 트랜지스터는 금을 소스/드레인 전극으로 갖는 기준 소자와 비교할 만한 성능을 보였다. 이는 PEDOT:PSS와 펜타센 사이의 접촉저항이 금과 펜타센 사이의 접촉저항보다 낮아 상대적으로 낮은 전기전도도에 의한 성능 저하를 보상하기 때문으로 추측된다.

In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT-PSS) was introduced into polymer gas separation membrane. The composite membrane consisted of poly(2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol –2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] ethyl methacrylate)-poly(oxyethylene methacryalate) (PBEMPOEM) comb copolymer matrix and PEDOT-PSS filler. PEDOT-PSS has strong ionic bonding interaction between PEDOT and PSS, and sulfonic acid groups in PSS interact with water molecules with hydrogen-bond. Because of these specific properties, the incorporation of PEDOT-PSS could form CO2 pathway for gas transport through the membrane. PEDOT-PSS chains were homogeneously dispersed in the PBEM-POEM matrix as a network. The best performance of prepared PEDOT-PSS/PBEM-POEM composite membranes was CO2 permeability of 59.6 Barrer with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 77.4, being close to the 2008 Robeson upper boundlines.

유기태양전지의 투명전극으로서 기존의 값비싸고 깨지기 쉬운 Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) 전극을 대체하고자, 전도성 고분자인 poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)를 적용하였다. 솔벤트의 도핑 농도에 따른 PEDOT:PSS 박막의 전기 전도도와 표면 거칠기의 특성 변화를 관찰하고, 그 결과가 PEDOT:PSS를 투명전극으로 사용한 유기태양전지의 특성에 미치는 영향을 연구하였다. PEDOT:PSS의 솔벤트 농도가 증가함에 따라, 박막의 표면 거칠기가 증가하고, 이는 유기태양전지의 단락전류의 변화를 야기했다. 또한, 소자의 홀 이동층이 얇아짐에 따라 광활성층의 단파장영역의 광흡수가 증가하는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다.