Thermoelectric materials and related compositions and methods
A thermoelectric material includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of partially coated particles dispersed within the polymer matrix. Each particle of the plurality has a discontinuous coating of metal on a carbon-based material. A method includes dispersing functionalized particles comprising a carbon-based material in a solvent; providing a metal salt in the solvent; and forming a plurality of distinct metal volumes on a surface of the functionalized particles to form partially coated particles. The distinct metal volumes are thermally insulated from other volumes of the plurality. A composition of matter includes a discontinuous coating of metal on a surface of a carbon-based material. The carbon-based material is selected from the group consisting of graphene oxide and functionalized carbon nanotubes.
1. A thermoelectric material, comprising:
a polymer matrix; and
a plurality of partially coated particles comprising graphene oxide and dispersed within the polymer matrix, each particle of the plurality having a discontinuous coating of metal on a carbon-based material.
2. The thermoelectric material of claim 1 , wherein the discontinuous coating of metal comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, and silver.
3. The thermoelectric material of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of partially coated particles comprises functionalized carbon nanotubes.
4. The thermoelectric material of claim 1 , wherein the discontinuous coating comprises a plurality of thermally insulated islands of metal over the carbon-based material.
5. The thermoelectric material of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric material exhibits an electrical conductivity of at least 0.005 S/cm.
6. A thermoelectric material, comprising:
a polymer matrix; and
a plurality of coated particles dispersed within the polymer matrix, each particle of the plurality having a discontinuous coating of metal on a carbon-based material;
wherein the thermoelectric material exhibits a figure of merit of at least 0.9.
7. A thermoelectric material, comprising:
a polymer matrix; and
a plurality of partially coated particles dispersed within the polymer matrix, each particle of the plurality having a discontinuous coating of metal on a carbon-based material;
wherein the thermoelectric material exhibits a thermal conductivity of less than 10 −2 mW/cm·K.
8. A thermoelectric material, comprising:
a polymer matrix; and
a plurality of partially coated particles dispersed within the polymer matrix, each particle of the plurality having a discontinuous coating of metal on a carbon-based material;
wherein the thermoelectric material exhibits a Seebeck coefficient of at least 1000 μV/K.