Organic thermoelectric materials have achieved record-breaking ZT values (figure of merit) exceeding 0.5 at room temperature, rivaling traditional inorganic counterparts like bismuth telluride. These materials leverage conjugated polymers such as PEDOT:PSS, which exhibit high electrical conductivity (>3000 S/cm) and low thermal conductivity (<0.5 W/mK). Recent doping strategies using ionic liquids have further enhanced ZT values by optimizing carrier mobility and Seebeck coefficients simultaneously.
Nanostructuring has emerged as a key strategy to improve thermoelectric performance in organic materials. By controlling molecular packing and crystallinity, researchers have achieved power factors (PF) as high as 100 µW/mK² in polythiophene derivatives. For instance, aligned nanowires of poly(3-hexylthiophene) demonstrated a PF increase by 300% compared to bulk films, highlighting the importance of morphology control.
Flexible organic thermoelectrics are being developed for wearable energy harvesting applications. A recent prototype integrated into textiles generated up to 10 µW/cm² from body heat at a temperature gradient of just 5°C. This innovation could power IoT devices or medical sensors without external batteries, marking a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions.
Despite progress, stability under ambient conditions remains a challenge for organic thermoelectrics. Encapsulation techniques using atomic layer deposition (ALD) have extended operational lifetimes to over 1000 hours with less than 10% performance degradation. This advancement is crucial for real-world deployment in harsh environments.
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