Thermoelectric Properties of Lead Telluride/Polymer Nanocomposites*

The thermoelectric properties of lead telluride/conducting polymer nanocomposites are investigated and evaluated as possible thermoelectric materials. The lead telluride nanoparticles are synthesized using high-temperature organometallic chemical techniques and have diameter less than 20 nm. The lead telluride nanoparticles are combined with a conducting polymer in varying volume fractions with $>$95 wt. {\%} semiconducting material. The resulting composite is cold-pressed into a solid. Electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient are measured from room temperature to 100$^{o}$C. The thermoelectric properties are reported as a function of lead telluride/polymer ratio.