Template-directed in situ polymerization preparation of nanocomposites of PEDOT:PSS-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes with enhanced thermoelectric property.

A template-directed in situ polymerization preparation of nanocomposites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with greatly enhanced thermoelectric property is presented. The results reveal that monomeric 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene was successfully polymerized, enwrapping the surfaces of dispersed MWCNTs (templates) with the aid of PSS. The coated morphology was directly observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The coated layer was further characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the interfacial interaction between PEDOT:PSS and MWCNTs was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Finally, the thermoelectric measurements show that the obtained PEDOT:PSS/MWCNT nanocomposites exhibited greatly enhanced electrical conductivities, Seebeck coefficients, and power factors when compared with those of neat PEDOT:PSS.