The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Active conductive polymers are attractive for thermoelectrics due to their processability and flexibility. Incorporating self-healing mechanisms allows these materials to maintain performance over time, promoting sustainability. Such capabilities are essential for wearable devices, which frequently suffer mechanical damage that degrades efficiency. This study develops a self-healing thermoelectric material to address this issue. A complex material was synthesized by incorporating functional components into a conductive polymer and ionic polymer matrix with a crosslinking agent. The intrinsic ionic and hydrated nature of the resulting composite material facilitated significant enhancements in self-healing capabilities. Characterization of electrical and ionic thermoelectric performance demonstrated a synergistic combination of high carrier conductivity and robust self-healing, highlighting the potential of complex materials for durable, high-performance wearable applications.