High Thermoelectric Power Factor of a Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Low Bandgap Polymer via Finely Tuned Doping Engineering

We studied the thermoelectric properties of a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based semiconductor (PDPP3T) via a precisely tuned doping process using Iron (III) chloride. In particular, the doping states of PDPP3T film were linearly controlled depending on the dopant concentration. The outstanding Seebeck coefficient of PDPP3T assisted the excellent power factors (PFs) over 200 μW m(−1)K(−2) at the broad range of doping concentration (3–8 mM) and the maximum PF reached up to 276 μW m(−1)K(−2), which is much higher than that of poly(3-hexylthiophene), 56 μW m(−1)K(−2). The high-mobility of PDPP3T was beneficial to enhance the electrical conductivity and the low level of total dopant volume was important to maintain high Seebeck coefficients. In addition, the low bandgap PDPP3T polymer effiectively shifted its absorption into near infra-red area and became more colorless after doping, which is great advantage to realize transparent electronic devices. Our results give importance guidance to develop thermoelectric semiconducting polymers and we suggest that the use of low bandgap and high-mobility polymers, and the accurate control of the doping levels are key factors for obtaining the high thermoelectric PF.