Optimization of Ultrasonic Dispersion of Single-Walled SWCNT Inks for Improvement of Thermoelectric Performance in SWCNT Films Using Heat Source-Free Water-Floating SWCNT Thermoelectric Generators

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) inks were prepared by mixing SWCNTs with ethanol and varying the amplitude of ultrasonic dispersion. When the SWCNT inks were prepared by dispersion amplitudes at 60% (nominal value of 200 W), the SWCNT inks had low viscosity and a small variation of the particle size. The SWCNT films fabricated under this dispersion condition had well-distributed SWCNT bundles and exhibited the highest power factor. However, when the dispersion amplitude was excessive, the viscosity of the SWCNT ink increased due to the reduced contact between the SWCNTs owing to over-dispersion, and the crystallinity of the SWCNT films decreased, exhibiting a lower power factor. When the optimized SWCNT films at 60% were applied to heat-source-free water-floating SWCNT-TEGs, an output voltage of 2.0 mV could be generated under sunlight irradiation. These findings are useful for preparing various electronic devices with SWCNT films to improve the film quality using ultrasonic dispersion.