Thermoelectric properties of PEDOT films prepared by electrochemical polymerization

Thermoelectric (TE) properties of flexible and free‐standing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films synthesized via galvanostatic polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene in propylene carbonate containing sulfated poly(β‐hydroxyethers) (S‐PHE) as polymer electrolyte were elaborately studied. Both electrical conductivities (σ) and Seebeck coefficients (S) of the PEDOT:S‐PHE films were increased by decreasing the temperature (T) or by increasing the current density (J) during electrosynthesis. Possible reasons for the lack of a trade‐off relation commonly observed between σ and S are discussed on the basis of SEM and oxidation‐level measurements. Preparation of the PEDOT:S‐PHE films was optimized with respect to T and J. In addition, the oxidation level of the PEDOT:S‐PHE films was controlled by potential and the change of their TE performances was discussed in conjunction with the change of chemical species involved. The power factor (PF = σS2) of the PEDOT:S‐PHE films reached 7.9 μW m−1 K−2, leading to a dimensionless TE figure‐of‐merit (ZT) of 0.013.