Conducting polymer thermoelectric material and process of making same

• US 5,472,519 A
• Filed: 05/30/1995
• Issued: 12/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Hogg, Charles M., Gracik, Thomas D., Howell, Barbara F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARROLL, CHRISMAN DION
• Application Number:
  US08/454,484
• Time in Patent Office: 189 Days
• Field of Search: 136/200, 136/236.1, 136/238, 136/239, 136/201
• US Class Current: 136/236.1
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/856 comprising organic compositions

Abstract

A thermoelectric material is provided whose temperature decreases upon passing an electric current therethrough. The material is a mixture of poly-3-octylthiophene and ferric chloride in a respective molar ratio of approximately 2:1.

Claims

1. A thermoelectric material whose temperature decreases upon passing an electric current therethrough comprising a mixture of poly-3-octylthiophene and ferric chloride in a respective molar ratio of approximately 2:

1.

2. A process for making a thermoelectric material whose temperature decreases upon passing an electric current therethrough, comprising the steps of:

combining a first solvent with poly-3-octylthiophene and ferric chloride, said poly-3-octylthiophene and said ferric chloride in a respective molar ratio of approximately 2;

1;

mixing said first solvent, said poly-3-octylthiophene and said ferric chloride for a first period of time during which said poly-3-octylthiophene and said ferric chloride are partially dissolved;

combining a second solvent with said first solvent, said poly-3-octylthiophene and said ferric chloride for a second period of time during which said poly-3-octylthiophene with said ferric chloride completely dissolves; and

removing said first and said second solvent wherein said poly-3-octylthiophene completely mixed with said ferric chloride forms said thermoelectric material.

3. A process as in claim 2 wherein said poly-3-octylthiophene and said ferric chloride are in powdered form prior to being combined with said first solvent.

4. A process as in claim 2 wherein said first solvent is toluene.

5. A process as in claim 4 wherein said first period of time is approximately 15 hours.

6. A process as in claim 2 wherein said second solvent is a mixture of toluene and ethanol.

7. A process as in claim 6 wherein said mixture of toluene and ethanol is in a volumetric ratio of approximately 2.67 parts toluene to 1 part ethanol.

8. A process as in claim 7 wherein said second period of time is approximately 1 hour.