Interface driven energy-filtering and phonon scattering of polyaniline incorporated ultrathin layered molybdenum disulphide nanosheets for promising thermoelectric performance.

ABSTRACT

The hybrid of organic conducting polymers and inorganic materials with ultralow thermal conductivity, which is a promising strategy for the realization of polymer based effective thermoelectric (TE) applications. In this work, ultrathin layered molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanosheets/PANI nanocomposites are prepared by hydrothermal route. The effect of varying PANI wt% in the nanocomposites and its interface effect on thermoelectric properties are well investigated. The successful incorporation of PANI between the MoS2 layers confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The significantly enhanced potential difference of MoS2/ PANI nanocomposites with increasing PANI content is well clarified by the increased Seebeck value. The variable range hopping property is identified and conductivity is raised up highly due to insertion of PANI in layered van der Waal's gap of MoS2. The effective interface facilitates charge for fast transport. The reduced thermal conductivity is observed of about 0.248 W*m-1*K-1 for 2.5 wt% addition of PANI. The key factor is that the stability of the sample is improved for MoS2/ PANI nanocomposites than pristine MoS2. Our work paved a new approach to improve TE performance by preparing TE MoS2 material through simple chemical route.