Feasibility of using chemically exfoliated SnSe nanobelts in constructing flexible SWCNTs-based composite films for high-performance thermoelectric applications

Despite the significant progress in thermoelectric composites in recent years, composite systems completely composed of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures are rarely reported. In this study, the thermoelectric composites are prepared using 2D nanobelts of SnSe, obtained by a chemically exfoliation process (solvothermal lithium-intercalation and subsequent exfoliation), and 1D single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a facile solution mixing and subsequent vacuum filtration method. The thermoelectric performance of the SnSe nanobelt/SWCNT composite films are further improved by post-treatment of thermal annealing. An optimized power factor at room temperature of 145 +/- 28 mu W-1 K-2 for the composite film with 80 wt% SWCNTs has been realized, which is much higher than that of either component. The results inspire a new insight into the SnSe-related thermoelectric composites, laying a foundation for the fabrication of high-performance thermoelectric composites in the future.