Effective thermoelectric properties with polyselenophene/Cu x S composites

In this study, polyselenophene (PSe), which has more raw materials, lower cost, and can be processed more easily than inorganic thermoelectric materials, was synthesized as a polymeric thermoelectric material with a simple method by chemical oxidative polymerization in aqueous medium. Copper sulfide (Cu x S) was synthesized and taken from it in different ratios compared to PSe, PSe/Cu x S composites were prepared. The Seebeck coefficient of PSe is 160 μVK −1, while that of PSe/Cu x S composite containing 30% Cu x S is 410 μVK −1. The PSe/Cu x S3 composite with 30% Cu x S had the highest Seebeck coefficient and power factor, measuring 410 μVK −1 and 5043 μWm −1 K −2, respectively. The electrical conductivity of PSe and PSe/Cu x S composites obtained in this study is relatively high, ranging from 10 to 405 Scm −1. PSe and its composites were characterized by FTIR, UV–Vis., XRD, TGA, EDX, and FESEM.