Incorporation of polyaniline on graphene-related materials for wearable thermoelectric applications

Abstract Polyaniline (PANi)/graphene composite on the cotton fabric is blended via a fusion of in-situ polymerization and solution process. PANi is initially grafted to graphene oxide via solution process where an associated reduction of GO transpired due to the hydrothermal condition and acquaintance of GO to KOH. The structural, morphological, elemental, thermal and electrical characteristics of these fabrics are studied by various physio-chemical techniques. The study is aimed to comprehend the participation of PANi as well as improved composite thereof under investigation. UV shielding ability of Nanostructured PANi/ graphene composite fabric is found to be enhanced to the value of 447 along with the thermal stability till 280 °C. It is also detected that the electrical conductivity of the PANi/graphene composite fabrics has improved. The thermo power value of the PANi/graphene composite fabric reaches 0.045 µVK−1. Hence, these materials are expected to be prominent for wearable thermoelectric devices.