Carbon Nanotube/Cellulose Acetate Thermoelectric Papers

Abstract

Free-standing single-walled\ncarbon nanotube (SWCNT)/cellulose acetate\ncomposite films were fabricated by a simple bar-coating method. As\na paste solvent, acetone, a low-boiling-point solvent, was used. By\nsimple brushing of a polyethylenimine/ethanol solution, n-type thermoelectric\ncomposite films could be obtained. The optimal p-type and n-type power\nfactors of the free-standing thermoelectric films were 1.41 ±\n0.22 and 0.516 ± 0.172 μW cm^–1 K^–2, respectively, at room temperature. We also fabricated\nthe organic thermoelectric generator from the free-standing composite\nfilms and confirmed their electrical power generation capability.\nBy applying the temperature difference of 10 K, the output power of\n2.28 μW was obtained.