Abstract:
Thermoelectric materials based on organic semiconductor compounds are considered a
highly promising approach towards sustainable, cost- and energy-efficient recuperation of waste
heat at moderate temperatures. First proof-of-concept devices have impressively confirmed this
appraisal for p-type conducting polymers, showing thermoelectric figures of merit of up to zT =
0.26. However, fundamental challenges remain and need to be addressed in forthcoming research
on this subject. In particular, the general improvement of the electrical conductivity, the
implementation of air-stable n-type organic semiconductors as well as the abrogation of the mutual
interrelation between the primary thermoelectric parameters constitute major objectives that need to
be achieved for a successful application of organic materials in thermoelectric devices. For the case
of strong donor-acceptor materials, in particular, the class of low-dimensional organic metals, I will
illustrate how these requirements can be fulfilled and transferred to new thermoelectric materials.