Untwisting plastics for charging internet-of-things devices

Science Daily  April 16, 2020
To use body heat to charge some types of micro-devices and sensors lightweight, non-toxic, wearable, and flexible thermoelectric generators are required. Japan studied the thermoelectric properties of highly conductive thiophene-based polymer, called PBTTT. They doped the polymer with a thin ion electrolyte gel, which is known to improve conductivity that infiltrates the polymer successfully when a specific electric voltage is applied. They found that, without the electrolyte gel, the PBTTT chain is highly twisted. Doping it with a critical amount of electrolyte untwists the chain and creates links between its crystalline parts, improving electron conductivity. The scientists report that the formation of this interconnected conductive network is what determines the polymer’s maximum thermoelectric performance. They are now looking into ways to optimize the thermoelectric performance of thin film conducting polymers through material design and changing the fabrication conditions…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE