Aniline–pyrrole copolymers formed on single-walled carbon nanotubes with enhanced thermoelectric performance

Abstract

In this work, poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)/single-walled carbon nanotubes (poly(ANi-co-Py)/SWCNTs) composites are prepared using a simple electropolymerization method. In the fabrication process, SWCNTs are used as working electrodes, on which an aniline pyrrole copolymer is synthesized by an electropolymerization method. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an auxiliary dopant, the thermoelectric properties, electrical conductivity (σ) and power factor (PF) of the composites can be further improved. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the properties of the as-prepared composites. Compared with the sample prepared by blending SWCNTs with the aniline–pyrrole copolymer, the formation of a uniform poly(ANi-co-Py) layer on the surface of SWCNTs endows the poly(ANi-co-Py)/SWCNTs composite with the highest PF up to 111.4 ± 3.2 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² at room temperature, which is above the PF of most PANi/PPy/CNT composites.