Advancements in Nanotechnology-Based PEDOT and Its Composites for Wearable Thermoelectric Applications

Thermoelectric materials' unique merits attract considerable attention. Among those merits, the straight transformation between heat and electricity makes this material potential. The energy of the human body is released in the form of heat, which can be transformed into effective electricity by wearable thermoelectric materials. The nanotechnology-based materials improve thermoelectric properties and heat absorption abilities for nanostructures will help maintain good electrical conductivity and reduce thermal conductivity. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is extensively investigated for its high conductivity, flexibility, good transparency, and so on. This article reviews its mechanism and describes the preparation techniques and thermoelectric properties of nanotechnology-based PEDOT, inorganic semiconductor composite, and low-dimensional metal composite thermoelectric materials. The recent research progress on PEDOT-based thermoelectric materials, the application of wearable low-dimensional PEDOT-based thermoelectric materials, and methods to improve the thermoelectric performance of PEDOT-based composite materials, device design, and commercialization are specifically discussed. This review discusses the thermoelectric properties and preparation techniques of low-dimensional PEDOT composites, including carbon nanocomposites, inorganic semiconductor composites, and metal composites. It also highlights the application potential of PEDOT in flexible, wearable thermoelectric devices, and discusses methods to enhance their performance, with a focus on device design and commercialization.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH