Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of PEDOT/PSS by Interface Regulation of Hydroxylated Fluorinated Graphene

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has enormous potential in the field of thermoelectric (TE) materials. The TE performance can be successfully improved by solvent treatment and a composite of conductive carbon materials. The hydroxylated fluorinated graphene (HOFG) regulates the PEDOT:PSS chain segment structure at the interface to enhance its TE properties. The presence of fluorine atoms and hydroxyl groups leads to a structure transition of PEDOT:PSS after phase separation. The π–π conjugated interaction between PEDOT:PSS and HOFG further enhances the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS, resulting in a power factor of 9.19 μW m–1 K–2 for the HOFG/PEDOT:PSS composite film. The 6-leg TE device assembled by HOFG/PEDOT:PSS composite film has an output power of 21.43 nW at a temperature difference of 50 K. This work provides a reference for regulating and enhancing the TE performance of PEDOT:PSS film and demonstrates the promising prospects of PEDOT:PSS in TE applications.