This work compares various methods to prepare polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites for
thermoelectric applications, focusing on the different doping mechanisms. We
first look at the general
trends observed in the Seebeck coefficient and power factor for a large number of composites as a
function of electrical conductivity. Then we discuss two methods of nitrogen doping the carbon
nanotubes in these composites, namely either during synthesis, or afterwards by ammonolysis. Finally,
we discuss doping of the carbon nanotubes through charge transfer from the polymer counterpart,
including photo-induced switching of the majority carrier type. As a general remark, we note that
processability is negatively influenced by some doping procedures. Best results were achieved for
unfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes with a high content of semiconducting CNT species.The authors would like to thank Prof. Michael L. Chabinyc, Prof.
Christian Müller and Prof. Alejandro R. Goñi for useful discussions.
We are grateful to John D. Craddock, Prof. Matthew C. Weisen-
berger and Prof. John E. Anthony for providing the n-MWCNTs. The
authors would also like to acknowledge
financial support from the
Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain through
projects CSD2010–00044 (Consolider NANOTHERM), MAT2015-
70850-P and MAT2014-53500-R; and the European Research
Council (ERC) under grant agreement no. 648901. S. Sandoval
acknowledges a contract though PIE 201660E013 and P. Kankla the
Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talents
Project (DPST). We are grateful to Thomas Swan Co. Ltd for
supplying Elicarb1 SWCNTs.Peer reviewe
