INS6-0118
Dynamic Hydroxo Complexation Induced Stable Mixed Ionic-Electronic Thermoelectric Films
Topic
S6. Emerging Polymer and Hybrid Materials for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion
When and Where
Oct 1, 2026
16:15 - 16:40
Room 311 & 312
Session Chairs
Jeonghun KIM
Presenter(s)
Byeonggwan Kim (Chungnam National University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Active conductive polymers represent a compelling class of materials for thermoelectric applications due to their exceptional solution processability and mechanical flexibility. However, their practical integration into wearable electronics is severely bottlenecked by recurrent mechanical degradation, which compromises long-term power conversion efficiency. To address this challenge, incorporating autonomous self-healing mechanisms into the polymer architecture is essential for ensuring operational durability and sustainability. Herein, we report the synthesis of mixed ionic-electronic thermoelectric materials engineered via a strategic metal based hydroxo complexation approach. The composite network was fabricated by establishing dynamic hydroxo coordination complexes within a synergistic matrix comprising an electronically conductive polymer and a highly hydrophilic ionic polymer. The highly hydrated microenvironment, regulated by the reversible ligand exchange of the hydroxo complexes, alongside the intrinsic ionic pathways within the resulting composite matrix, facilitated significantly accelerated, reversible bond dynamics. Consequently, this crosslinked network enabled robust macroscale self-recovery under ambient conditions without external stimuli. This work highlights the potential of strategic hydroxo complexation as a design rule for fabricating resilient, high-performance energy-harvesting materials tailored for next-generation wearable applications.
