South Korean researchers develop new way to improve thermoelectricity production

In South Korea, researchers from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a methodology to improve thermoelectricity production. High charge carrier mobility and low thermal conductivity of indacenodithiophene (IDT)-based polymers make them ideal candidates for thermoelectric materials. However, they suffer from low electric conductivity, a prerequisite for high thermoelectric performance. In a new study, the researchers showed that a strategy based on controlling dopant position near the IDT polymer skeleton can significantly improve the electric conductivity and thermoelectric performance of these systems.