Thermoelectricity is the interdependence of temperature and electricity. If different temperatures are applied to the ends of an electrically conductive material, a potential difference occurs, which is defined as thermoelectric voltage. This effect was first described in 1823 by the German physicist THOMAS JOHANN SEEBECK. The combination of n- and p-conductive materials is necessary for the construction of a thermoelectric module.

The focus for thermoelectric investigations at the IPF is on electrically conductive thermoplastic polymer composites (CPC); intrinsically conductive polymers (ICP) are also investigated.

In this process, melt- or solvent-mixed composites of various thermoplastic polymers and different carbon nanotubes (single-walled, multi-walled, nitrogen-, boron-doped) are produced and various additives are added. The aim is to obtain both n- and p-conducting materials in order to be able to produce thermoelectric modules. In previous work, structure-property relationships for thermoelectric materials could be demonstrated. Thus, the incorporation of carbon nanotubes with n-type behaviour (e.g. nitrogen-doped MWCNTs) always leads to n-type composites. However, the combination of p-type SWCNTs with nitrogen-containing polymers in particular can lead to composites with n-type behaviour.

In addition to composites based on thermoplastic polymers, cellulose-based composites and aerogels based on them were also investigated as thermoelectric materials.

A measuring stand was developed at the IPF to determine the thermoelectric properties. In addition to the thermoelectric voltage at different temperature differences, the electrical resistance and current can also be measured on the samples. The measurements can be carried out between room temperature and 110°C on solid specimens as well as on powders or liquids.

In the EU project InComEss, thermoelectric materials are being developed to generate energy for energy-autonomous IoT applications like e.g. sonsors for structural health monitoring.

Publications within the InComEss project are stored in Zenodo.org.

GlaS‑A‑Fuels envisions a holistic approach to transform bio‑ethanol to advanced biofuels like Butanol, heavier alcohols and hydrogen, employing recyclable and cooperative catalysts from earth‑abundant elements.
The concept is based on the engineering of a light‑trapping and light‑tuning photonic glass reactor, self‑powered by a thermoelectric module, and tailored to amplify the effectiveness of photo‑amplified single‑atom catalysts.

Contact persons

Dr. Beate Krause
Dr. Marén Gültner
Dr. Petra Pötschke

Flyer/ Poster

• Thermoelectric materials and generators at IPF
• Overview of thermoelectric materials based on polymers and CNTs
• "Thermoelectric properties achievable with CNTs and polymer/SWCNT composites" Poster präsentiert zur Euromat2023

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