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Enhanced thermoelectric power factor of PPy-based nanocomposites: effect of decorated graphene nanoplatelets by bismuth oxide nanoparticles

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Abstract

In this study, a hybrid organic–inorganic material based on polypyrrole (PPy), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3) was developed to overcome the limitations of organic materials’ thermoelectric (TE) conversion efficiency. The GNPs were decorated with Bi2O3 nanoparticles using a simple and effective method based on infrared irradiation and diazonium chemistry. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to examine the structural and physical properties. The results of this study showed a promising improvement in electrical conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (S) of PPy/GNPs-Bi2O3 compared to pure PPy, attributed to the π–π stacking between PPy chains and GNPs surface. Bi2O3 enhances the TE behavior of the nanocomposite by improving charge transport and binding both components (PPy and GNPs). At room temperature, the power factor was found to be 11 times higher (1 µW m−1 K−2) compared to pure PPy. Further exploration at high temperatures could result in higher TE performance.

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Acknowledgements

Younes Bourenane Cherif acknowledges Ecole Militaire Polytechnique d’Alger, Algeria, for his Ph.D. grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Surfaces, NISM, University of Namur, 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000, Namur, Belgium

    Younes Bourenane Cherif & Zineb Mekhalif

  2. UER Physicochimie Des Matériaux, Ecole Militaire Polytechnique, EMP, BP 17 Bordj-El-Bahri, 16046, Algiers, Algeria

    Ahmed Mekki, Zakaria Bekkar Djelloul Sayah & Souleymen Rafai

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  1. Younes Bourenane Cherif
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Bourenane Cherif, Y., Mekhalif, Z., Mekki, A. et al. Enhanced thermoelectric power factor of PPy-based nanocomposites: effect of decorated graphene nanoplatelets by bismuth oxide nanoparticles. J Mater Sci 58, 4809–4823 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-023-08334-5

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