Ultrahigh thermoelectric power factor in flexible hybrid inorganic-organic superlattice.
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ABSTRACT: Hybrid inorganic-organic superlattice with an electron-transmitting but phonon-blocking structure has emerged as a promising flexible thin film thermoelectric material. However, the substantial challenge in optimizing carrier concentration without disrupting the superlattice structure prevents further improvement of the thermoelectric performance. Here we demonstrate a strategy for carrier optimization in a hybrid inorganic-organic superlattice of TiS2[tetrabutylammonium] x [hexylammonium] y , where the organic layers are composed of a random mixture of tetrabutylammonium and hexylammonium molecules. By vacuum heating the hybrid materials at an intermediate temperature, the hexylammonium molecules with a lower boiling point are selectively de-intercalated, which reduces the electron density due to the requirement of electroneutrality. The tetrabutylammonium molecules with a higher boiling point remain to support and stabilize the superlattice structure. The carrier concentration can thus be effectively reduced, resulting in a remarkably high power factor of 904?µW?m-1?K-2 at 300?K for flexible thermoelectrics, approaching the values achieved in conventional inorganic semiconductors.
SUBMITTER: Wan C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5647338 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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