Recent Trends in Conjugated Polymer-Based Thermoelectrics From Materials to Device

Abstract

This comprehensive review provides an in-depth examination of recent advances in thermoelectric (TE) materials based on conjugated polymers (CPs), emphasizing strategies aimed at enhancing their performance for energy harvesting applications. CP-based TE materials have garnered significant interest due to their inherently low thermal conductivity, mechanical flexibility, lightweight nature, and the easy tunability of molecular structures. Despite these advantages, their commercialization remains limited by challenges such as modest TE performance and insufficient long-term stability. This review explores key progress in molecular design, structural engineering, and doping strategies that have led to notable improvements in critical parameters such as electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor, collectively enhancing the TE figure of merit (ZT). In addition, the article traces the historical development of CP-based flexible TE generators for wearable and portable electronics, underscoring the importance of bridging the gap between material TE properties, mechanical properties, and device realization.