Highly stretchable and sensitive self-powered sensors based on the N-Type thermoelectric effect of polyurethane/Nax(Ni-ett)n/graphene oxide composites

The development of stretchable organic thermoelectric materials is prompted by fast evolving application fields like flexible electronic devices, soft robotics, health monitoring and internet-of-things. Stretchability in usually obtained using an insulating elastomer, either as a substrate or matrix blend composite, which, unfortunately, leads to compromise performance. Herein, potential solution reported exploiting the addition graphene oxide secondary (nano)filler polyurethane/poly nickel-ethenetetrathiolates film. Compared with traditional binary blends, our ternary composite shows increased electrical conductivity (4 times), air-stability (∼20 times after 3 months), stretchability (38% increase strain at break). With gauge factor (GF) ∼58, this new film high sensitivity tensile strain. Thanks its Seebeck coefficient ∼ −40 μV K−1, can generate thermopower ∼0.25 pW when subjected small temperature difference (30 °C), which could be exploited self-powered sensors. Therefore, nickel-ethenetetrathiolates/graphene work sensor, providing strategy reconcile between performance stretchability.