PEDOT:PSS Functionalized Silver Selenide Composite Films for Thermoelectric Applications

Herein, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) functionalized Ag2Se nanowire (PP-Ag2Se NW) composites were synthesized using an in situ polymerization approach, and then flexible PP-Ag2Se NW composite films were prepared by a convenient vacuum filtration method, followed by cold pressing along with an annealing treatment. The results showed that PP-Ag2Se NWs were sintered after the post-treatment, and a highest power factor of 1130.75 μW m–1 K–2 was achieved at 380 K for the post-treated PP-Ag2Se NW composite films. The tensile strength of the annealed sample was 46.99 MPa, and after bending 500 times at a radius of 4 mm, the resistance changing ratio of the sample was 4.42%, suggesting favorable mechanical performance of the post-treated composite films. The flexible PP-Ag2Se generator assembled with four strips generated an open circuit voltage of 1.53 mV when touching with four fingers, indicating that the treated PP-Ag2Se NW composite films have application prospects in flexible thermoelectric power generation and temperature sensors.